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

British Members of Parliament, MPs, have voted against a new national inquiry into grooming gangs. MPs rejected the Conservatives’ attempt to force a new national inquiry on grooming gangs. The Tories’ amendment to the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill was voted down by 364 votes to 111,

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

The Conservatives have tabled an amendment proposing an inquiry into grooming gangs, but if the vote passes new laws protecting children will be delayed.

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, in result widely expected due to Labour’s majority.

The education secretary warned that supporting symbolic Tory calls for a grooming gangs inquiry will kill a children’s safety bill ‘stone dead’

Sir Keir Starmer directly urged Kemi Badenoch to drop her call for a national inquiry on grooming gangs because it would mean derailing legislation aimed at bolstering the safety of children. At Prime Minister's Questions Sir Keir said a further inquiry could delay action on tackling child sexual abuse,