A heated exchange erupted between Prime Minister Keir Starmer and Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch over a proposed national inquiry into child sexual abuse gangs.

Badenoch called for a new inquiry, stressing the importance of listening to victims and holding those responsible accountable. However, Starmer opposed the idea, citing concerns that another inquiry would delay implementing recommendations from a previous report published in 2022.

Starmer revealed that he had met with survivors of grooming gangs earlier in the day, who expressed their preference for swift action over another inquiry. He condemned the Conservative’s plan to amend the Children’s Wellbeing and Schools Bill, which aims to improve child welfare.

The bill seeks to tighten up areas of child welfare, including preventing cases like the murder of 10-year-old Sara Sharif. Starmer urged MPs to vote for the bill, saying it would “protect children who are vulnerable.”

Badenoch hit back, accusing Starmer of ordering Labour MPs to vote against an inquiry into “one of the worst scandals in British history.” She questioned how Labour MPs would explain their opposition to an inquiry to their constituents.