Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has criticised Labour's Jess Phillips for "failing to answer" questions about rape gangs and opposing a national statutory inquiry.
Speaking on GB News, Philp expressed frustration at Phillips' stance during a recent parliamentary exchange.
"I have no idea what on earth Jess Phillips is thinking. I was sitting opposite her in Parliament and she had no good answers to these points," Philp said.
He claimed Phillips was unable to respond to his arguments for why a national inquiry is necessary.
Chris Philp hit out at Jess Phillips
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Philp outlined why a statutory inquiry is essential for addressing the issue of rape gangs.
"Why does this inquiry need to be statutory? That gives an inquiry legal powers to compel witnesses to attend, to requisition evidence. To take evidence under oath," he explained.
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"You need that to get to the truth," Philp added, citing recent events in Manchester where inquiry chairs resigned because "public bodies were still covering things up" as recently as last year.
He emphasised that these legal powers are crucial for uncovering the full truth about these cases.
Philp claimed that opposition to a national inquiry is causing internal Labour discord.
"Labour backbenchers are getting increasingly frustrated," he stated.
Jess PhillipsPAHe named several prominent Labour figures who support a national inquiry.
"Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Sarah Champion, Labour MP for Rotherham, even Harriet Harman and now Lord Glasman. They're all coming out calling for a national inquiry," Philp said.
He added that his party plans to force the issue through parliamentary action.
"This vote we're bringing forward again in just a few weeks time is our opportunity to force this Labour government to change its mind."
Chris Philp joined Nana Akua on GB News
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Philp outlined two key reasons for requiring a national statutory inquiry.
"We saw police officers were instructed to cover this up and not one single person has been held to account for covering up these appalling crimes," he stated.
He claimed officers were told to conceal crimes because "the perpetrators were mainly of Pakistani origin" and authorities "didn't want to inflame community tensions."
"That is a despicable reason for covering up the rape of young girls," Philp said.
He also argued that local inquiries are "totally inadequate" as the issue affected "at least 50 towns."
Philp specifically highlighted Bradford as an example of a town refusing to cooperate with investigations.
"Bradford being a prime example, is refusing to cooperate, so Bradford isn't going to be investigated at all," he said.
The Shadow Home Secretary maintained that only a national statutory inquiry could address the scale of the problem.
"We need a national, statutory inquiry. These local inquiries are totally inadequate," Philp insisted.
He reiterated his party's commitment to forcing a parliamentary vote on the issue in the coming weeks.
