Watch the moment Labour MPs and Jess Phillips react with fury at Lee Anderson’s probe in Parliament.
Speaking in the chamber, Anderson asked if Phillips is “part” of the grooming gangs “cover-up”.
The moment did not go down well among Anderson’s fellow MPs, with a shout of “shame”.
He asked: “Thousands of young, white, British working class girls have been raped, tortured and abused by Pakistani grooming gangs.
Lee Anderson's question sparked fury among MPs
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“Our minister here refuses to support a full, national inquiry. What I want to know here is, is she part of the cover-up?”
Jess Phillips passionately hit back by saying Anderson’s question “doesn’t deserve” a response.
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“I wonder how many victims he has sat and held hands with in court of grooming gangs”, she said.
“I have spent my entire career helping. There is absolutely no way I would be part of any cover-up.
“I will do everything I can to make sure those responsible are held accountable.”
Home Office Minister Jess Phillips has admitted there has been a cover-up of the grooming gangs scandal whilst rejecting calls for a national inquiry.
Lee Anderson asked 'are you part of the cover-up?'
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The Safeguarding Minister made the admission during an exchange with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp in the House of Commons.
Phillips dismissed demands for a full national inquiry, instead emphasising her commitment to local investigations.
The Labour frontbencher insisted local accountability processes would be more effective at driving change on the ground.
Speaking in the Commons, Phillips said: "I don't need to read out the things that were found in other local inquiries to know because I speak to the victims."
Jess Phillips faced a grilling in the Commons
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She revealed she had spoken to victims from Oxford, Birmingham, Rochdale, Rotherham and Oldham that morning.
"I know exactly the issue of the cover-up, as does everyone already, because of the many local inquiries that told us that this happened," Phillips stated.
She emphasised her focus would be on ensuring "a local process of accountability that actually changes things on the ground".
Phillips also confirmed that the government plans to expand the number of local grooming gang inquiries beyond the five initially promised in January.
"I expect to actually go further," the Safeguarding Minister told MPs.
She announced that a "framework" detailing how these inquiries will be conducted is set to be published next month.
The Labour frontbencher's commitment to additional local investigations comes amid growing pressure for more comprehensive action on historical grooming cases.
However, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp insisted the local approach was inadequate.
After detailing horrific accounts from grooming gang victims, Philp said: "Not a single person, not one, has ever been held to account for these cover-ups."
He pointed to ongoing issues, noting: "Even last year, authorities in Manchester were still covering up, leading to the chairs of the local Manchester inquiry to resign."
Philp demanded stronger action, stating: "Five local inquiries, which can't compel the production of evidence, just won't do."
He called instead for a "national, statutory inquiry" with powers to force disclosure of evidence.
