UK MPs vote against grooming gangs inquiry; Starmer, opposition leader clash

The Conservatives, commonly called Tories, introduced the motion to ‘Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill’, which according to the UK government, aims at keeping children safe from exploitation. They demanded a national inquiry into the grooming gangs in the country which, however, would have delayed the passing and enactment of the bill, reported news agency Press Association (PA).

The bill was rejected by all the Labour MPs in the house by a vote of 364 against 111. Out of those who voted for the motion, 101 were Conservatives, five were Reform UK MPs, two from the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP), Traditional Unionist Vote's Jim Allister, United Progressive Party’s Robin Swann, and Independent Alex Easton, said the report. The bill will now go straight for additional review without having to go through any other formal vote.

The voting for the bill was preceded by a heated debate in the house, which saw Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch argue that the government’s refusal to back the probe could fan concerns over a “cover-up”, said the PA report.