Last candidate to chair grooming gangs inquiry withdraws over ‘lack of trust’

Keir Starmer said at prime minister’s questions in Wednesday that if those who had resigned from the panel wished to return, ‘the door will always be open’. Photograph: House of Commons/Reuters

Keir Starmer’s grooming gangs inquiry has descended into fresh turmoil after the only remaining candidate to be its chair blamed “political opportunism” and “a lack of trust” for his withdrawal as an applicant.

As a key survivor called for a face-to-face meeting with the prime minister to save the inquiry, Jim Gamble, a former deputy chief constable, said the process to appoint a committee head was “toxic” and defined by “vested interests”.