Conservatives vow to continue call for a public inquiry on CSE in Oldham

Following Monday's explosive Extraordinary Full Council Meeting to discuss the publication of the long-awaited report into Child Sexual Exploitation in Oldham, the Borough's Conservatives councillors have again called for a fully independent and broad-ranging public inquiry.

The Newsam and Ridgway report was commissioned to examine historical allegations relating to CSE in Oldham and to consider whether the council and its partners – including Greater Manchester Police – provided an appropriate response to protect children.

The allegations chiefly concern ‘shisha bars, taxi companies and children’s homes’, according to the terms of reference.

Royton North Councillor Dave Arnott said: “This report poses more questions than it answers.

"The terms of reference were far too narrow and formulated by the very organisations it was tasked to investigate, but even with these flaws already built into the process before its publication, the review, when it was eventually released, is deeply concerning in the issues that it doesn’t raise and the questions that it doesn’t answer."

Cllr Arnott continued: “The panel, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, new Council Leader Amanda Chadderton, Gerard Jones, Oldham Council's Managing Director, Children and Young People, and Chief Superintendent Chris Bowen were forced to endure a barrage of questions for hours, from angry residents and opposition councillors demanding answers which at times they appeared unable or unwilling to give."

Oldham Conservatives insist that the review comes nowhere near assuring the public, which was what it was tasked to do.

Cllr Arnott added: "It fails on every level and doesn’t even reach a bar that was already set very low by the organisation that commissioned it.

"In March I called for a public enquiry into CSE in Oldham, which was supported by all opposition parties, to their credit.

"Very sadly, every Labour councillor in the chamber voted the motion down.

“There is no spinning or sugar coating this.

"The public of Oldham demand and deserve answers.

"They want to know how children in this borough were groomed and gang raped for decades, how a prolific sex offender was employed by the council for 18 years in a welfare role, how gangs of men were able to access council run children’s homes to abuse young girls, why information was withheld by the council to protect “social cohesion” and why this investigation only interviewed one victim.

"The list goes on and on.

"The only way forward is for the council itself to call for a fully independent public inquiry.

"The Council Leader Amanda Chadderton and GM Mayor have stated that they will not, and that they see no value in this.

"The Conservatives will not be deterred and will continue, with the help of other opposition groups, to campaign for a public inquiry, however painful that may be and for however long that takes.

"If anyone needs any justification, then you only have to watch the heart-breaking testimony of the incredibly brave victim who spoke in the council chamber on Monday night."

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