Cabinet ministers have ramped up attacks on Conservative “bandwagon jumping” over child rape gangs during furious exchanges in the Commons as the government saw off a Tory attempt to force a new inquiry.
Amid continued pressure, No 10 appeared to slightly soften its position on the idea of a second inquiry into grooming gangs, echoing the words of the safeguarding minister, Jess Phillips, in saying Keir Starmer was open to hearing the views of victims.
