Concerns Over Grooming Gang Reports in Rochdale
A former MP has claimed that he was advised by influential Labour officials against discussing “ethnicity or religion” in relation to grooming gang child rapists in his area, fearing it could cost them votes.
Simon Dantsk, who represented Rochdale from 2010 to 2017, stated in a recent interview that significant members of the Labour Party cautioned him about mentioning the ethnic or religious backgrounds of Pakistani Muslim groups involved in child exploitation. This advice came post a 2012 scandal involving such gangs in Northern England.
Dantsk recalled that a prominent member, Tony Lloyd, who was the chairman of the Labour Party at the time, expressed concern about potential electoral backlash. “They believed it would jeopardize their support among the Pakistani community,” he noted.
Lloyd was a fixture in Manchester politics, known for his long tenure representing Rochdale and other constituencies. He also held various roles including police and crime commissioner, until his passing in 2024.
Despite the warnings he received, Dantsk emphasized that the significance of ethnicity and religion in cases of abuse cannot be overlooked. He pointed out that perpetrators often had a dismissive view of their victims, primarily because they were white, working-class girls.
The former MP further asserted that “cover-ups” by local officials and social services have only fueled the issue, allowing grooming gangs to persist in their criminal activities.
These accusations come amidst ongoing reviews, particularly one led by Baroness Casey examining the operations of grooming gangs. Notably, the review revealed that many officials sidelined discussions about ethnic or cultural influences to avoid potential accusations of racism and maintain community harmony.
After her review was made public, Casey disclosed that the term “Pakistan” was actively removed from files concerning child victims.
This issue has recently gained attention, especially following a change in stance from Labour leader Keir Starmer, who had previously resisted calls for a thorough national investigation into the scandal. Now, it appears that such an inquiry could implicate members of his party, given the allegations surrounding grooming gangs in areas governed by Labour.
Historical reports have detailed how local authorities and police struggled to effectively safeguard young white girls from grooming gangs, primarily driven by fears of appearing racist. For instance, a 2020 report from Greater Manchester Police noted that, despite directives to investigate “other ethnicities,” many gang members were not pursued, leaving numerous young girls vulnerable.
In light of these concerns, there’s a growing call for accountability among officials as this issue of child exploitation is scrutinized further.
