MPs will vote on Kemi Badenoch’s call for a national inquiry on grooming gangs after she warned that Sir Keir Starmer’s refusal to back it would fuel concerns about a “cover-up”. The Prime Minister hit out at the Tory leader over “lies and misinformation and slinging of mud” which did not help victims of child sexual abuse.

The Tories are pushing for a new grooming inquiry in an amendment to Labour’s child safety Bill - but even if it passes, it’s unlikely a inquiry will be launched

The UK’s opposition Conservative Party will seek a vote in parliament on Wednesday calling for a national inquiry into so-called child grooming gangs, in an effort to pose a political problem for Keir Starmer’s Labour government while winning the attention of billionaire Elon Musk.

Sir Keir Starmer has accused the Conservatives of prioritising winning support on Elon Musk's social media site above protecting children by pushing for a vote on a new nationwide child grooming investigation.

Sir Keir Starmer has urged Conservative MPs not to back a push for a new child grooming inquiry as it prioritises “retweets over the safeguarding of children”.