THE ASIAN INDEPENDENT UK
Bal Ram Sampla
Seven men were recently convicted in another Rochdale grooming case in June 2025. This follows major scandals in towns like Rotherham, Telford, Bradford, and Newcastle. Research shows that 84% of those convicted for grooming gang crimes between 2005-2017 were of Asian background, mostly Pakistani men. 1,400 children were abused, while, Labour councillors police and social workers ignored/suppressed reports for fear of being seen as racist.
PM Keir Starmer was a former Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP), has been under pressure for delaying a national inquiry. Despite long-standing demands from victims, whistle-blowers and increasing public and political pressure. Starmer has finally announced a full national inquiry.
He has been accused of delaying for 2 reasons:
1. To Protecting Labour Councils
Most grooming gang scandals happened in Labour-controlled towns.
The Evidence:
(1). The 2015 Casey Report found Labour councillors in Rotherham “covered up the abuse”
(2). GB News found grooming gangs were “overwhelmingly in areas where Labour holds big majorities”
(3). Towns like Rotherham, Rochdale, Telford, and Bradford have been Labour strongholds for decades
(4). Jay Report, 2014, critical of Labour councillors.
2. Fear of Losing Muslim Votes
Labour desperately needs Muslim votes in marginal seats. The party already lost Muslim support over Gaza in 2024, and can’t afford to lose more.
For instance:
Muslims make up approximately over 20% of voters in many Labour seats.
Britain’s Muslim community is now large enough and is very influential politically.
A grooming gangs inquiry might anger Muslim voters who see it as targeting their community.
Sikh and Hindu communities in the UK have raised significant concerns about grooming gangs that have targeted their young women, arguing that these cases have received insufficient attention and investigation compared to cases involving white victims. Both communities have engaged with Parliament seeking national inquiries and proper accountability. The Sikh organisation have raising the issue since 1980s.
The Buddhists, Ravidasis and Valmilki organisations have been silent and there has no representation to the government on this national issue.
The Media Cover-Up
British media calls these criminals “Asian” instead of “Pakistani.” This is misleading because:
A. It blames innocent Indian, Bangladeshi, and other Asian communities
B. It hides the specific pattern of mostly Pakistani Muslim men in these gangs
C. It avoids uncomfortable discussions about community and cultural factors
Pressure From Tommy Robinson And Elon Musk
Tommy Robinson was one of the earliest and loudest bringing attention to grooming gangs. From Luton with first hand experience he used inflammatory language. His activism forced media and politicians to take note of grooming gangs. He even spoke at Oxford Union to highlight the issue despite strong opposition to stop him attending.
Since acquiring Twitter (now “X”), Elon Musk has mocked Starmer reposting clips critical of Starmer’s role in CPS and quoting posts about grooming gangs. He nicknamed Starmer as ‘ Two Tier Keir’.
While neither Elon Musk nor Tommy Robinson holds public office, but their large following has put enormous pressure on Starmer, particularly among disaffected voters and younger online audiences.
The Bottom Line
His delayed support for a national inquiry reflects a broader issue of political reluctance to confront sensitive realities.
Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, was forced to resign from Shadow cabinet in 2017 after writing about the ethnic background of perpetrators.
The All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims (APPG) has enormous clout and has recommended a definition of Islamophobia in 2019. Labour has yet implement it.
Starmer’s failure and delay to act has played into hands of the far right and has given extra media exposure to likes of Tommy Robinson, who is the leading right wing movement and gaining momentum.
The national enquiry will be dependent on the terms of reference given by the Prime Minister. This will determine the scope and limitation on how it will investigate and what questions it needs to answer as well as type of evidence it can consider.
Let’s hope it brings justice to the victims.
1.Casey Report (2015): https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a8152f4ed915d74e33fd945/46966_Report_of_Inspection_of_Rotherham_WEB.pdf
2.Quilliam Foundation Report: https://www.quilliaminternational.com/press-release-new-quilliam-report-on-grooming-gangs/
3.GB News Investigation: https://www.gbnews.com/news/revealed-senior-rotherham-councillors-knew-and-stayed-silent-about-towns-grooming-gangs-scandal-exclusive-in-depth-investigation/439769
4.Academic Criticism of Data: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/news/2020/dec/analysis-new-home-office-report-admits-grooming-gangs-are-not-muslim-problem
5.The Week Magazine:
Rotherham councillors and police allegations: https://theweek.com/uk-news/62397/councillors-and-police-had-sex-with-rotherham-abuse-victims
Labour’s political failings: https://theweek.com/politics/child-abuse-inquiry/60145/rotherham-scandal-labours-failings-leave-door-open-to-ukip
6.Alternative Media Sources:
5Pillars coverage: https://5pillarsuk.com/2018/01/02/quilliam-south-asian-men-alarmingly-over-represented-in-grooming-gangs/
Christian Concern analysis: https://christianconcern.com/comment/disgraced-rotherham-councillor-lands-nhs-diversity-job/
7. Labour Party definition of Islamophobia
https://www.opindia.com/2025/01/uks-labour-party-adopted-document-saying-that-terms-grooming-gang-is-anti-muslim-racism/
8. Sarah Champion resigns as equalities shadow minister
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2017/aug/16/sarah-champion-resigns-as-shadow-equalities-minister-sun-article-pakistani-men?CMP=share_btn_url
