Grooming gang survivors say political ‘tug of war’ must stop before inquiry

‘Holly’ and ‘Scarlett’ in Telford. They are survivors of child sexual exploitation and are now campaigners. Photograph: Andrew Fox

The political “tug of war with vulnerable women” abused by grooming gangs must stop before a new national inquiry into the crimes, survivors have told the Guardian.

Holly Archer and Scarlett Jones, two survivors who played a key role in a “gold-standard” local inquiry in Telford, have urged politicians and those without experience of abuse to allow women to shape the investigation.