Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood insisted the focus of the national seduction gang investigation would “not change” or “diminish”.
Writing in the Times, Mahmood said the appointment of an inquiry chair “will not be long” and added that the government “must get it right”.
She intervened after three survivors of the abuse stepped down from their roles in the inquiry this week, amid fears it could widen beyond the lure gangs and concerns over who will lead the investigation.
In her resignation letter, survivor “Elizabeth” – not her real name – said the process appeared to be a “cover-up” and “created a toxic environment for survivors”.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced in June that a national inquiry into grooming gangs in England and Wales would be launched, with a survivors’ group set up to oversee the process.
But three survivors accused officials of trying to water down the investigation by expanding its scope to include broader issues of child sexual abuse and exploitation.
Also disappointing is the length of time it took to appoint a chairman, which some believe is a delaying tactic for fear of what might be revealed.
Survivors have raised concerns about the suitability of candidates shortlisted to chair the inquiry, including Annie Hudson, a former senior social worker, and Jim Gamble, a former deputy chief constable.
Fiona Goddard, who was abused by gangs while living in a Bradford children’s home, said the police and social work services were “biggest contributors to the national cover-up of mass rape and child trafficking”.
Ellie Reynolds, another survivor, said it was a conflict of interest for “insiders to represent the systems that have failed us”.
Ms Reynolds, who was abused by the Pakistani Brotherhood gang in Bar, told BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour: “If they were serious about appointing a chair that would actually be successful in this investigation, they wouldn’t have appointed a police officer or a social worker.
“It had to be a judge – it had to be someone who was completely impartial and impartial.
Ms Reynolds said the “final turning point” in her decision to quit was a move to widen the inquiry “to downplay the racial and religious causes of our abuse”.
Elizabeth said she’s seen “selective narratives being promoted — ones that seem to fit certain agendas, especially around issues of race and the expansionist narrative.”
She told the BBC she wanted a chair who was “legitimately” trained and “impartial”.
Annie Hudson has withdrawn her candidacy for the post of chairman, the BBC reported.
In her article in The Times, Mahmood said it was with a “heavy heart” that she learned that some of the panel had resigned.
“If they want to come back, the door will always be open to them,” Mahmood wrote. “But even if they don’t, I owe it to them — and to the country — to respond to some of the concerns they’ve raised.”
She also said the investigation would “clearly examine the ethnicity and religion of the perpetrators”.
“I know some are frustrated that they are still waiting for this investigation to begin. I understand that frustration. I feel it myself,” Mahmood added.
Defense Minister Jess Phillips previously said it was “untrue” that the government was seeking to reduce the focus of the investigation.
Responding to the resignations of Ms Goddard and Ms Reynolds in the House of Commons, Phillips said she regretted the departure of the two women, but added: “My door is always open to them.”
She also insisted that “not all victims are of the same opinion” and would continue to communicate with all survivors.
Phillips added that the victim inquiry team from which Ms Reynolds and Ms Goddard resigned was not run by the government but by a lucrative charity.
But Ms Goddard said the defense minister’s denials were “blatant lies” and later told GB News she would “consider” returning to the commission, but only if Phillips resigned.
Ms Goddard said there were “many” members of the survivor group who were victims of various forms of child sexual abuse and exploitation, not gangs, and that only these individuals sought a wider investigation.
A Home Office spokesman said the inquiry would “remain laser-focused on grooming gangs”, as recommended by Baroness Casey when she called for a national inquiry.
“To meaningfully consult with victims and survivors about credentials, we need to ask them questions and listen to their answers,” added the spokesperson.
“It’s not broadening the scope — it’s making sure their voices shape the research.”
Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the government inquiry was “descending into chaos”.
He said ministers were “forced” to hold an inquiry in June, adding: “Maybe that’s why the government hasn’t said anything of substance publicly after months.”
Conservatives have called for the inquiry to be led by a senior judge to guarantee impartiality and restore faith in the process.
Phillips rejected the offer, saying Baroness Casey had said she did not want a traditional court-led inquiry.
The minister also emphasized that it is difficult to find a chair that is not attached to an institution “that has not failed these girls over the years, including our courts that have taken children from the victims of seduction gangs, some of which have been criminalized.”
“There is no institution in our country that has not failed,” she added.