A prominent lawyer representing sexual abuse victims has urged politicians to keep their distance from the newly announced national inquiry into grooming gangs unless they are required to provide evidence.
Alan Collins told GB News that politicians should “back off” from the investigation, warning that any perception of political interference could prove catastrophic for the inquiry’s success.
“I’m very relieved for everybody, particularly the victims and survivors,” Collins said, welcoming the announcement of the inquiry. “It was very difficult to understand why the inevitable was being postponed and one could be cynical about it. Many have ducked some important and key questions.”
He stressed that the inquiry must remain free from political influence to maintain the trust of survivors who are essential to its effectiveness.
Alan Collins spoke about the inquiry
GB NEWS / PARLIAMENT
The Prime Minister announced the inquiry earlier today after receiving recommendations from Baroness Dame Louise Casey, who conducted a rapid audit into group-based child exploitation and abuse.
Sir Keir Starmer, who had previously faced criticism for resisting calls for another probe, said launching the inquiry was now “the right thing to do” after reading Casey’s report.
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“I have read every single word of her report and I am going to accept her recommendation,” the Prime Minister stated. “That is the right thing to do on the basis of what she has put in her audit.”
According to leaked details from Baroness Casey’s review, the report suggests some victims were “institutionally ignored for fear of racism.”
Charlie Peters spoke to the lawyer
GB NEWS
The Prime Minister confirmed the inquiry would have statutory powers, enabling it to compel witnesses to testify and produce documents.
Collins emphasised that abuse survivors must be at the heart of the investigation for it to succeed, warning that their participation is crucial to uncovering the truth about these cases.
“The survivors will be central to all this for a national inquiry to be successful. From the very start, there needs to be engagement with them otherwise you won’t get what is needed,” he explained.
The lawyer expressed particular concern about the potential impact of political involvement on survivor participation. “If there is any suggestion that political influence is being brought to bear, I suspect survivors would back away which would be disastrous,” Collins warned.
He called for complete transparency throughout the process, stating: “It’s going to have to be a very open process. This is based on experience with survivors.”
The statutory nature of the inquiry grants it significant legal authority to investigate the full extent of grooming gang activities across the country.
These powers will enable investigators to compel testimony from witnesses who might otherwise be reluctant to come forward, as well as requiring the production of crucial documents and evidence.
Collins urged politicians involved in establishing the inquiry to maintain transparency and allow the investigation to proceed without interference. “The politicians creating this need to be open and frank and let survivors carry on. Politicians need to back off and let them get on with it, and where necessary, give evidence,” he stated.
The lawyer’s comments reflect concerns that political involvement could undermine the credibility of the inquiry and discourage survivor participation.
