A victim of grooming gang abuse has resigned from a Home Office panel supporting the national inquiry into the scandal, citing serious concerns about “secretive conduct” and a “toxic, fearful environment”.
Fiona Goddard, who survived abuse in Bradford, walked away from the Victims/Survivor Liaison Panel after alleging survivors were being shut out of key decisions and treated in a “condescending and controlling” manner.
Her resignation letter has reignited questions about whether the Government is genuinely committed to delivering answers for victims or simply going through the motions of an inquiry.
Survivor Alleges “Secretive Conduct” Creates Fear
In her strongly-worded resignation letter, Ms Goddard outlined a “multitude of issues” that led to her decision to leave the panel designed to support Sir Keir Starmer’s national inquiry ordered earlier this year.
“The dynamics of this inquiry, including potential chairs and progress, should have been conducted openly and honestly by the Government, and survivors should have had the choice to voice their opinions if they decided to,” she wrote.
“Instead, the secretive conduct and conditions imposed on survivors has led to a toxic, fearful environment, and there is a high risk of people feeling silenced all over again.”
Ms Goddard’s decision to quit came ahead of scheduled meetings this week, suggesting her concerns were serious enough to make her position on the panel untenable.
Concerns Over Conflicts of Interest
The Bradford survivor raised alarm about “certain members of the panel” and their connections with “members of the Labour Government”, arguing this “presents conflict of interest and incentives”.
She also criticised the “condescending and controlling language” used towards survivors participating in the panel process.
Ms Goddard revealed that survivors were initially promised consultation on the selection of an independent chair for the inquiry, only to be told later it would be “first come first served” for attending the crucial meeting.
“Many did not make it into the meeting,” she stated, adding that this approach left survivors “feeling like they did before: unheard and unimportant”.
Survivors Promised Voice Then Shut Out
Ms Goddard emphasised that each survivor brings “valuable experience to the table after years of being ignored, derided and silenced”.
“To tell them their voices mattered, and then once again shut them out no doubt left some survivors feeling like they did before: unheard and unimportant,” her letter stated.
She expressed hope that her departure would create an opportunity for another survivor to ensure their voice is heard in the inquiry process.
Shortlisted Chairs “Marking Their Own Homework”
It emerged yesterday that the candidates shortlisted to chair the national inquiry are police officer Jim Gamble and social worker Annie Hudson.
Ms Goddard argued that having either candidate lead the inquiry would “once again be letting services mark their own homework”, given both come from the very institutions that failed to protect children.
A number of campaigners believe someone with a legal background should lead the inquiry instead, with Shadow Justice Secretary Robert Jenrick arguing the chair should have “deep experience” of criminal cases.
Jenrick maintains such expertise is necessary for handling the “deeply complex” information the inquiry will involve.
“Start to Consider the Survivors”
Concluding her resignation letter, Ms Goddard wrote: “My final hope is that the Home Office and Government also start to consider the survivors and the potential impact of their treatment, and approach the process going forward in a more open, honest, and respectful manner.
Her departure represents a significant blow to the credibility of the inquiry process, particularly given the Government’s repeated pledges to put survivors at the heart of its approach.
Jenrick: PM “Not Serious” About Delivering Answers
In response to the resignation, Mr Jenrick said it suggests the Prime Minister is “just not serious about delivering answers the victims so desperately deserve”.
Writing on X, he argued: “A senior judge with deep experience of criminal and family cases, is best placed to interrogate the evidence and extract answers that are not forthcoming.”
He continued: “The evidence will inevitably challenge the integrity of the police and social services at the highest levels, who repeatedly failed the victims and then covered their tracks. Yet the two contenders to lead the inquiry have backgrounds in both services.”
Jenrick added: “That’s why a rape gang survivor has resigned from the taskforce, citing ‘disturbing conflicts of interest’. Keir Starmer dragged his feet before setting up this inquiry and this latest development suggests that once again he is just not serious about delivering answers the victims so desperately deserve.
Home Office Defends Process
The Home Office insisted it is “working urgently to appoint the best chair” for the inquiry and is “putting victims and survivors at the heart of the process.
A statement read: “The abuse of children by grooming gangs is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable. Any suggestion that this inquiry is being watered down is completely wrong – we are committed to delivering a robust, thorough inquiry that will get to the truth and provide the answers that survivors have so long campaigned for.”
The department said it was “grateful to all those who have shared their insights” but would not provide “a running commentary” on the selection process whilst it remains live.
Background to National Inquiry
Sir Keir Starmer ordered the national inquiry in June following a rapid audit by Baroness Casey into how the state understands and tackles grooming gang exploitation.
The Casey report found widespread ongoing problems with institutional responses to the issue, despite decades of public awareness following scandals in Rotherham, Rochdale, Telford and other towns.
In January, the Government committed to at least five local inquiries into grooming gangs and for police forces to reopen cold case investigations.
Casey Audit Findings
Baroness Casey’s audit, published in June, pointed to limited data collection by police forces, local government and health authorities regarding grooming gang crimes.
Significantly, ethnicity data went unrecorded altogether for two-thirds of gang abusers, making it impossible to properly understand patterns and target interventions effectively.
The findings underscored how institutional failures continue to hamper efforts to protect vulnerable children and bring perpetrators to justice.
Questions Remain Over Inquiry Independence
Ms Goddard’s resignation raises fundamental questions about whether the inquiry can truly be independent and survivor-focused if those closest to the process feel silenced and marginalised.
Her concerns about conflicts of interest and the professional backgrounds of potential chairs echo wider unease that the inquiry risks becoming another exercise in establishment institutions investigating themselves.
For survivors who have spent years fighting for recognition and justice, the developments represent yet another disappointing chapter in their struggle to be heard.
Whether the Home Office can restore confidence in the process remains to be seen, but Ms Goddard’s public resignation letter has ensured these concerns can no longer be ignored.
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