Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch has told Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer he risks fuelling accusations of "a cover up" by refusing to hold a national inquiry into grooming gangs. She also accused the PM of not wanting questions asked "of Labour politicians who may be complicit".

Victims want action today, the Prime Minister said, as the Tory leader repeated demands for a national inquiry into rape gangs

The vote was largely symbolic - aimed at putting pressure on Labour after comments by Elon Musk brought grooming gangs back into the spotlight.

Kemi Badenoch has dramatically failed in her attempt to sabotage the government's child welfare legislation in a bid to get another national inquiry into grooming gangs - see hjow your MP voted

An amendment to hold a national inquiry into the grooming gangs was rejected by MPs in a vote in the House of Commons. MPs voted by 364 votes to 111, a majority of 253, against the amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill after the Tories tried to stall the legislation.

Labour MPs have voted down the Tory amendment demanding an independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation at the hands of Muslim grooming gangs.

British Prime Minister Keir Starmer clashed with opposition leader Kemi Badenoch on Wednesday (January 8) over the need for a new national inquiry into grooming gangs.

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”.