Rochdale MP Demands "Proper Accountability" After Grooming Gang Convictions

Rochdale, UK - Following the conviction of seven men for grooming and abusing two young girls in Rochdale, local Member of Parliament Paul Waugh has renewed his calls for an independent inquiry into child grooming gangs.

The seven men were found guilty of a string of offences on Friday, June 13th, at Minshull Street Crown Court, after a five-month trial that saw one defendant abscond and two jurors dismissed. The court heard that the abuse, in which the girls were treated like "sex slaves," took place "under the noses of social workers and others who should have done far more to protect them."

Mr. Waugh, who has represented Rochdale in Parliament since July of last year, has paid tribute to the "bravery" of the two victims, calling for "proper accountability" for those who allowed the "sickening" abuse to occur.

"The trial of this Rochdale rape gang laid bare both the sickening crimes of these perverts and why we need proper accountability for anyone who allowed this abuse to happen," Mr. Waugh told the Manchester Evening News.

He is demanding an independent inquiry with "full statutory powers to force witnesses to appear." This comes after a 2017 inquiry commissioned by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham revealed "lamentable strategic failure" by leaders in Rochdale. While that review led to more criminal investigations and prosecutions, the experts involved lacked the power to compel witnesses to testify.

While calls have been made for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, the government has so far chosen to support local inquiries. Mr. Waugh stated he is "open to" a national inquiry, but emphasised that any inquiry, national or local, "must have full statutory powers to force witnesses to appear." He added that in Rochdale, the grooming gangs were "of mainly Pakistani heritage."

Sharon Hubber, Rochdale Council's director of children's services, commented on the convictions, saying, "We know that these convictions are unlikely to erase the memories of the abuse these women were subjected to as children, but we hope they do bring some form of closure."

The demand for a thorough and accountable inquiry underscores the ongoing efforts to address the deeply concerning issue of child sexual exploitation within the Rochdale community and beyond.