Kemi Badenoch Slammed For 'Politicising' Grooming Gangs With Press Conference

Conservative party leader Kemi Badenoch (R) hosts a press conference following the announcement on a national inquiry into grooming gangs, on June 17, 2025 in London, England. Kemi Badenoch has been called out for “politicising” the grooming gangs after holding a new press conference on the scandal.The Conservative leader and the shadow home secretary Chris Philp sat on a panel with some of the victims’ family members on Tuesday.The meeting was a response to Labour’s sudden decision to call a national inquiry on grooming gangs.The move stunned Westminster as the government previously accused any politicians who called for another probe of “jumping on the far-right bandwagon”.But Keir Starmer claimed to have changed his mind over the weekend after an independent report from Baroness Louise Casey on child sexual exploitation recommended another inquiry.The Conservatives have subsequently seen this as a victory on their campaigning, and called on Starmer to apologise for his past remarks – while somehow still promising to support the government with the new probe.Then today, Badenoch suggested grooming gangs should not be a politicised issue at her press conference.“I do think we should take the politics out of it,” she said to reporters.Moments later, she attacked Labour again, saying: “Who was it that said when we raised this issue that we were pandering to the far right?“That’s what brought the politics into it. Who was it that said that this was dog whistle politics? It was Keir Starmer and his ministers.”Badenoch then claimed she had separated herself from the political issues, reminding those present that she was at a press conference with survivors of the scandal – and claimed she would only do politics in the Commons.She said: “When I’m in the Houses of Parliament, when I’m in the Commons, I will do politics. And I think that it is wrong for people to tone police those who are pointing out when something has gone wrong.”Badenoch’s press conference was also arranged at the same time as Casey herself was giving evidence to the Commons home affairs committee about the report.Casey said on Monday that she was “disappointed” by the Tory leader’s reaction in the Commons to the grooming gangs report.“I just felt, dare I say it, the opposition could have just been a bit, “yes, we will all come together behind you”. Maybe there is still time for that,” Casey told BBC Newsnight.So when Badenoch used her press conference on Tuesday to lash out again at the government, she quickly attracted criticism on social media, with many users describing her conference as “disingenuous” and “deeply uncomfortable”.Kemi Badenoch having a press conference on grooming gangs, and declaring this to be not political, would be a lot more convincing if this were a /cross-party/ press conference.As it is this performative 'we're on your side' exercise is coming across as disingenuous.— Rallicat (@rallicat.fun)2025-06-17T11:07:23.398818ZThe absolute chutzpah of Kemi Badenoch holding a press conference with victims of sex trafficking and bemoaning lack of progress at the VERY SAME TIME that Baroness Casey is presenting her findings and, notably, actions/next steps following her rapid 3 month report. Wind your neck back in, Kemi luv.— Stephsimone (@stephsimone.bsky.social)2025-06-17T11:02:06.303ZAm I alone in feeling deeply uncomfortable watching Tory leader Kemi Badenoch politicise chief grooming . The Tories had 14 years [email protected] @bbcnewsnight.bsky.social @channel4news.bsky.social— Steven Jolly (@stevenjolly.bsky.social)2025-06-17T10:35:52.720ZKemi Badenoch is hoping everybody will forget her own party's miserable record on certain issues.— Stu Can Play At That Game (@btnstu.bsky.social)2025-06-17T10:52:19.031Z#BBCNews ...she said, sat in front of a bunch of Union Flags in a hastily-arrange press conference, using the victims. The whole thing is unedifying. Kemi Badenoch is a fraud.— markofbattersea (@markofbattersea.bsky.social)2025-06-17T10:56:30.457ZRelated...Kemi Badenoch Accused Of Making A 'Liz Truss-Style Promise' With Latest Unfunded PolicyLiz Truss Hits Back After Jess Phillips Says She Started 'Far-Right Bandwagon' Over Grooming Gangs'We Have Lost More Than A Decade': Labour Unveils 'Damning' Results Of Grooming Gang Review

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