New Chair announced for Grooming Gangs Inquiry

The Home Secretary has announced that Baroness Anne Longfield a former children’s commissioner will chair the 3-year inquiry into child sexual abuse by Grooming Gangs.

Baroness Longfield will be supported by Zoe Billingham, a former inspector at HM Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Resuce Services and Eleanor Kelly the former chief Executive of Southwark Council.

On accepting the position, Baroness Longfield said that the “inquiry owes it to the victims, survivors and wider public to identify the truth, address past failings and ensure that children and young people today are protected in a way that others were not. The inquiry will follow the evidence and will not shy away from difficult or uncomfortable truths wherever we find them.”

There has been mixed reaction from survivors, a judge or legally qualified chair would have been mine and other Solicitors who act for survivors’ preference, although Baroness Longfield has a good reputation and experience from her previous role. 

Her relationship with the Labour Government has raised concerns by some survivors, given the Government’s previous lack of enthusiasm for the inquiry. One survivor has commented that, “the fact that they have chosen someone so closely connected with the Labour Government raises serious concerns over how impartial and independent the inquiry will be.” It must be noted that Baroness Longfield will resign her Labour whip to chair the inquiry.

What is important is that the inquiry will make recommendations that will be implemented. Another survivor has rightly commented, “What if nothing changes? You hear that with these big inquiries that recommendations are made, but they’re not always implemented.” This is something that has certainly been experienced with the IICSA (Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse) and must not be repeated.

However, what is important is that progress is being made. It is expected that the Chair will consult over the terms of reference in the new year and these will be finalised and published in March 2026 when the inquiry will be formally established.