Labour policy suggesting phrase ‘grooming gangs’ is racist against Muslims sparks fury | Politics | News

Labour has been blasted after allegedly suggesting that using the term “grooming gangs” is racist against Muslims.

The party included the term in its “definition and examples” of Islamophobia that it adopted following a 2018 report, reports The Times.

The document, drawn up by an all-party parliamentary group (APPG) of MPs headed up by now Health Secretary Wes Streeting, contained the wording in inverted commas to suggest that it was racist.

It likened the referencing of “Asian grooming gangs” to “age-old stereotypes and tropes about Islam”.

The report also mentioned that “sexual profligacy and paedophilia, or Islam and violence” threaten to “heighten vulnerability of Muslims to hate crimes”.

Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch has blasted the government for its position, calling on Sir Keir Starmer to scrap the policy during Wednesday’s Prime Minister’s Questions.

She said: “This is exactly why people are scared to tell the truth.”

But Foreign Secretary David Lammy claimed on Thursday that the definition is not being used by the government as its position is still “being determined”.

He told Times Radio: “That’s a process that’s underway and we’ve got to wait to see where that comes out, but I’m quite sure that that process will not lead to anything that is an impediment in going after paedophiles, whatever their background, religious background, ethnicity, or the colour of their skin. Very, very clear on that.”

Andrew Norfolk, the reporter who uncovered the child sexual exploitation gangs in Rotherham, has reportedly been hit with claims of racism since exposing the scandal.

As has Ann Cryer, the former Labour MP who first expressed concerns about the issue.

She has alleged she was labelled racist in local meetings, claiming local authorities “were petrified of being called racist and so reverted to the default of political correctness”.

Labour MPs blocked Badenoch’s bid to force an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation by Muslim grooming gangs earlier this week.

Sir Keir Starmer whipped his MPs to vote down the Conservative amendment to the child safety and education Bill, which would have blocked the legislation on the grounds it does not commit to a new probe.

MPs rejected Mrs Badenoch’s attempt by 364 to 111, a majority of 253.

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “It is disgusting that Keir Starmer has used his supermajority in Parliament to block a national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.”

He added: “Labour MPs have put their party ahead of getting to the truth and turned a blind eye to justice for the victims. Labour MPs will have to explain to the British people why they are against learning the truth behind the torture and rape of countless vulnerable girls.”

It comes after safeguarding minister Jess Phillips rejected a call by Oldham Council to hold an independent probe into child exploitation gangs.

US billionaire Elon Musk later launched a scathing attack on the Labour MP.

He wrote on X that “rape gangs were allowed to exploit young girls without facing justice” during Sir Keir’s time as Director of Public Prosecutions.

The Tesla boss also claimed Phillips “deserves to be in prison” after she denied requests from Oldham Council for a Home Office-led inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Greater Manchester town.

He said: “In the UK, serious crimes such as rape require the Crown Prosecution Service’s approval for the police to charge suspects.”

Sir Keir said “a line has been crossed” over Musk’s social media posts.

The Labour Party has been contacted for comment.