Ministers have acknowledged the possibility of a new national inquiry into grooming gangs after days of resisting the idea despite pressure from figures including technology billionaire Elon Musk.

PMQs: Starmer and Badenoch clash on Grooming Gangs scandal

Sir Keir Starmer directly urged Kemi Badenoch to drop her call for a national inquiry on grooming gangs because it would mean derailing legislation aimed at bolstering the safety of children. At Prime Minister’s Questions Sir Keir said a further inquiry could delay action on tackling child sexual abuse,

Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has told Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer he risks fuelling accusations of "a cover up" by refusing to hold a national inquiry into grooming gangs. She also accused the PM of not wanting questions asked "of Labour politicians who may be complicit".

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch will today ramp up demands for a public probe into the child grooming scandal to end the "culture of cover ups" in British institutions.