Grooming gang inquiry may not take place till next year'

"Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging. At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story. The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it."

"A long-awaited inquiry into grooming gangs may now not take place until next year. Government sources have told The Times that it could take months to find a new chair after both contenders to oversee the probe - former police officer Jim Gamble and Annie Hudson - pulled out this week. The government is taking urgent steps to find new candidates after the exit of leading option Mr Gamble - but ministers will take the time, likely months, to appoint the right chair, the source said."

"The inquiry has been thrown into disarray after the loss of the two candidates to chair the probe, as well as the departure of five women from the victims liaison panel. Four of the women who quit have said they would be prepared to return if safeguarding minister Jess Phillips resigns, while five of those still on the advisory panel have said they would only stay if she remains in post. The five backing Ms Phillips said in a letter to Sir Keir Starmer and home secretary Shabana Mahmood that her retaining her role is one of the conditions for their continued participation. They wrote that the minister has remaine"

The Independent emphasizes the need for on-the-ground reporters to cover topics from reproductive rights to climate change and Big Tech, and requests donations to keep journalism free of paywalls. The outlet highlights investigative work, including financial probes and documentary production, and states a commitment to make quality journalism available to everyone, funded by those who can afford it. A separate government inquiry into grooming gangs faces delays after two chair candidates withdrew. Ministers expect months to appoint a new chair, while departures and conditional returns on the victims liaison panel have left the inquiry in disarray.

Read at www.independent.co.uk