Home Secretary Yvette Cooper received a pre-action letter from a former detective over the grooming gangs scandal just hours before confirming new measures for local inquiries.
The letter, sent by Maggie Oliver on Wednesday, warned that Cooper could go to court unless she takes “urgent steps to allay widespread public concern” over gangs sexually exploiting children.
Following Cooper's statement in the House of Commons, GB News understands that Oliver is now taking time to digest the announcement and consider her options.
In a statement from the charity set up in her name, Oliver said yesterday that she had put Cooper “on notice” that she would seek a judicial review in the High Court unless the Home Secretary “publicly confirms that she will implement all 20 of the recommendations of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) and publishes a timetable for implementation of those recommendations, and takes urgent steps to allay widespread public concern regarding the grooming and sexual abuse by organised gangs/groups”.
Yvette Cooper
HOUSE OF COMMONS
If the Home Secretary “does not agree to these reasonable requests”, Oliver added: “I will issue an application to the High Court seeking permission to challenge the Secretary of State’s refusal to take action on urgent issues of child sexual abuse and child sexual exploitation.
“I recognise that there are a range of views on these issues amongst survivors, victims and other interested parties.
“However, I would ask all persons who are concerned about children to support my request for urgent, tangible and transparent action to combat the epidemic of abuse of children.”
During her announcement, Cooper confirmed that the Home Office will soon release a clear timetable for taking forward the recommendations in the final IICSA report by April 20.
LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:
Grooming gang whistle blower Maggie OliverPAThe Home Secretary also vowed to provide £10million in funding to tackle grooming gangs and roll out a three-month "rapid audit" led by Baroness Louise Casey.
Oldham Council and four more pilot areas will test and develop Cooper's new approach, the Home Office has also confirmed.
The announcement was welcomed by Rotherham MP Sarah Champion who earlier this week called for a national inquiry.
She said: "Wow! Looks like the Government is accepting my five-point plan to prevent child abuse and expose cover-ups over grooming gangs!"
Responding to Cooper's announcement, Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “The Government’s announcement of just five local rape gang Inquiries is totally inadequate.
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper PA"Up to 50 towns are affected. What about the rest - don’t they matter? And it appears these local Inquiries won’t have the legal powers under the Inquiry Act 2005 to compel witnesses to attend, take evidence under oath and requisition written evidence.
"Lack of these powers is why the Chairs of the Manchester Inquiries are reported to have reigned last year. Victims, the public and even Labour Mayor Andy Burnham want a full national public inquiry with the powers needed to compel evidence. So do I.”
The People's Channel has also been told by a grooming gangs survivor that the newly announced local inquiries are "a whitewash" and "not enough at all".
Elizabeth, who is a survivor from Rotherham's rape gang rings, told GB News: "There is nothing transparent. I'm back to the fight again. It's not enough at all.
"I'm sure we're just hearing the same old stuff. They are taking part in covering the cover up once again."
GB News has approached the Home Office for comment.
