Explosive moment Reform deputy demands apology for Starmer labelling grooming gangs inquiry calls ‘far-right’ – as Home Secretary sidesteps question in damning U-turn announcement
Reform UK deputy leader Richard Tice today dramatically confronted Home Secretary Yvette Cooper in the Commons, demanding an apology after Sir Keir Starmer dismissed calls for a national grooming gangs inquiry as “far-right” politics.
In explosive scenes during Cooper’s announcement of the Government’s humiliating U-turn on the inquiry, Tice rose to ask the Home Secretary directly: “Will she now apologise on behalf of the Prime Minister who smeared and labelled those of us who called for a national inquiry?”
The Boston & Skegness MP’s pointed question hung in the air as Cooper conspicuously avoided offering any apology to those previously dismissed as peddling “far-right” talking points.
Instead of addressing Tice’s demand, Cooper appeared to look past issuing any potential apology to Reform or the Conservatives, deflecting: “I do believe that victims and survivors are owed an apology for that failure over very many years.
The tense exchange came as Cooper was forced to announce a complete reversal of Labour’s position – launching the very national inquiry the Prime Minister had spent months rejecting.
Six Months of Denial Before U-Turn
The confrontation highlighted Labour’s embarrassing volte-face after:
- Starmer dismissed inquiry calls as “jumping on a far-right bandwagon” in January
- Labour MPs voted THREE times to block a national inquiry
- 350 Labour MPs rejected a Tory amendment calling for a probe
- The PM accused critics of spreading “lies and misinformation
Now, following Baroness Casey’s damning report revealing more than 800 rape gang cases – with numbers expected to rise above 1,000 – the Government has been forced into the very inquiry they branded as unnecessary.
‘Massive U-Turn Due to Fear of Reform’
Speaking after the Commons clash, Tice branded the move a “massive Starmer U-turn due to a fear of Reform UK“, adding: “Once again, Labour copying Reform policy.
The Reform deputy’s demand for an apology resonated across the Conservative benches, with Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp backing the call: “He smeared those, including me, calling for a national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal as ‘far-Right’ and now he’s been forced into a U-turn.
Cooper’s Dodged Apology Sparks Fury
Cooper’s refusal to apologise to MPs who had called for the inquiry sparked immediate backlash:
What Tice asked: “Will she now apologise on behalf of the Prime Minister who smeared and labelled those of us who called for a national inquiry?”
What Cooper said: “I do believe that victims and survivors are owed an apology for that failure over very many years.”
Critics noted she completely sidestepped apologising to those the PM had “smeared” – choosing instead to pivot to victims while ignoring Tice’s direct question.
PM Also Refuses to Say Sorry
The Home Secretary’s dodge echoed the Prime Minister’s own refusal to apologise when questioned at the G7 summit about his U-turn.
When asked directly “do you owe the public an apology?”, Starmer failed to offer one, instead launching into a lengthy explanation about commissioning the Casey review.
A No10 spokesman later attempted damage control, claiming: “The Prime Minister’s comments about bandwagons were specifically about ministers from the previous Government who sat in office for years and did nothing.
Casey Report’s Shocking Findings
The bombshell report that forced Labour’s hand revealed:
- Children as young as TEN were plied with drugs and alcohol before being brutally raped
- Clear evidence of “over-representation among suspects of Asian and Pakistani heritage men”
- Organisations avoided the topic “for fear of appearing racist”
- More than 800 cases requiring investigation, expected to exceed 1,000
Tory Leader Demands Answers
Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch backed Tice’s call for accountability, demanding in the Commons: “What changed the Prime Minister’s mind, from thinking this was dog whistle far-right politics, to something he must do?
She added: “The Prime Minister’s handling of this scandal is an extraordinary failure of leadership. His judgement has once again been found wanting.”
Reform Claims Victory as Labour Caves
Nigel Farage welcomed the U-turn but warned: “A full statutory enquiry, done correctly, will expose the multiple failings of the British establishment. I repeat the words ‘done correctly’ – this cannot be a whitewash.”
Sarah Pochin, Reform’s newest MP, demanded: “Sir Keir Starmer must immediately publish a clear and detailed timetable for this inquiry.
What the Inquiry Will Include
Despite refusing to apologise, Cooper confirmed the inquiry will:
- Have full statutory powers under the Inquiries Act
- Direct local investigations with power to compel witnesses
- Introduce new laws making penetrative sex with under-16s automatically rape
- Launch National Crime Agency operations on 800+ cold cases
The Apology That Never Came
As Cooper took her seat after the announcement, the question remained unanswered: Will Labour ever apologise to those they smeared as “far-right” for demanding justice for rape victims?
With Tice’s challenge ringing in their ears and victims as young as ten at the heart of this scandal, Labour’s refusal to say sorry to those who were right all along speaks volumes about a Government forced into action against its will.
The victims deserve justice – but those who fought for them against Government smears deserve an apology too.
