Grooming gang survivors have attacked Jess Phillips as Labour’s national inquiry into the scandal plunged into further turmoil.
Abuse victims hit back at the Home Office minister after she rejected their claims that the inquiry could be watered down and expanded to cover other forms of child sexual abuse.
Fiona Goddard, one of four survivors who quit the inquiry’s victims’ panel over their concerns, produced a consultation document in which they were asked whether the inquiry could “take a broader approach”.
“I didn’t make this up. The documents are right there. Being dismissed and contradicted by a minister when you’re telling the truth takes you right back to that feeling of not being believed all over again,” said Ms Goddard.
“I think she needs to step down because she’s publicly accused a grooming gang survivor who, throughout my whole life has been accused, of lying over and over again – that is part of the whole scandal.”