A Tory proposal to fund a grooming gangs inquiry in London has been voted down by the capital's Labour, Green, and Liberal Democrat London Assembly members.
In a move this afternoon which the Conservatives have branded "shocking", City Hall voted down an amendment to Sadiq Khan's budget which would have seen a "fully-costed" comprehensive inquiry into the existence and prevalence of grooming gangs across London.
Out of the assembly's 25 members, all eight Conservatives and the single Reform UK representative voted for the proposal.
But their nine votes were not enough to pass the motion in the face of 10 Labour, three Green, two Lib Dem and one independent AMs - all of whom voted against it.
The Tory proposal to fund a grooming gangs inquiry in London has been voted down in Sadiq Khan's City Hall
LONDON ASSEMBLY
The amendment would have seen £4.49million allocated for a London-wide grooming gang inquiry - alongside a near-£150million package of other funding drives to shore up police finances, crack down on theft and potholes, and boost nightlife.
Neil Garratt, who leads the City Hall Tories, said in a statement: "Today's vote represents a missed opportunity to redirect resources to where Londoners need them most.
"Our alternative budget offered a clear and funded plan to protect Londoners, repair our roads, and support our local businesses.
"Instead, we're seeing the continuation of bloated bureaucracy at City Hall while essential services face cuts. The Mayor's office continues to expand with seemingly endless deputy mayors and advisers, while the Metropolitan Police struggles with reduced funding. This isn't just about numbers on a spreadsheet - it's about real impacts on Londoners' daily lives.
MORE ON BRITAIN'S GROOMING GANGS SHAME:
- ‘Not taking it seriously!’ Sadiq Khan blasted after ‘outrageous’ response to grooming gangs question
- Ex-policeman shares explosive assessment on grooming gangs 'protected' in Britain: 'It's massive'
- Vile trio of brothers jailed for 14-year grooming and sex abuse campaign against vulnerable underage girls
The vote has been slated as a 'missed opportunity' by City Hall's Tory leader Neil Garratt
SUTTON CONSERVATIVES"Phone and bike theft are up and burglaries have skyrocketed, and the public rightly wants their political leaders to put Londoners' needs and interests first.
"The rejection of these practical proposals by Labour, Liberal Democrat, and Green Assembly Members shows they're more interested in protecting City Hall's bureaucracy than addressing the genuine concerns of Londoners."
A Tory statement on Tuesday warned that Khan had so far failed to answer the party's repeated calls for action - including formal letters from London Assembly members Susan Hall and Lord Bailey.
Bailey said in response: "I am beyond disappointed by this development. We have worked to find the money for an inquiry that London desperately needs - for the victims, for faith in our institutions, and to restore the relationships between communities.
A Tory statement on Tuesday warned that Sadiq Khan had so far failed to answer the party's repeated calls for action
PA"London has had its trouble spots, and my colleagues and I have been diligent in asking the authorities the questions necessary to address this, but we need to go further.
"Today, the other parties had an opportunity to take the first step on the road to correcting this historic wrong, and shining a light on this grave issue, and they have chosen not to.
"I know however that my Conservative and colleagues and I, whilst disheartened, will not stop fighting for a settlement that centres the victims of child sexual exploitation in the search for justice."
The Mayor of London had sparked fury from Hall earlier this year when he appeared to dodge her questions on the capital's rape gang abuse.
Hall had demanded to know whether Khan was aware of any gangs operating in the capital - but he repeatedly asked her to "define what she means by that" in response.
She later told GB News: "Everyone across this country knows what the grooming gangs are, and I don't believe Khan for one minute when he says it's unclear.
"Young girls were hopelessly abused, and may yet still be suffering abuse if these gangs continue to operate. This isn't about politics - we need answers, and we need them now.
"Pathetically shirking his responsibilities is not going to cut it. Khan dodged the questions today, he needs to come to the assembly and answer them - and put the concerns of Londoners at ease."
