Five grooming gang survivors tell PM they will stay on panel only if Jess Phillips remains in post

<p>Exclusive: In fresh controversy, the women write to Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood to speak up for safeguarding minister</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/live/2025/oct/23/jess-phillips-grooming-gangs-inquiry-keir-starmer-labour-uk-politics-latest-news">UK politics live – latest updates</a></p></li></ul><p>Five survivors invited on to the child sexual exploitation inquiry panel have written to Keir Starmer and Shabana Mahmood to say they will continue working with the investigation only if the safeguarding minister Jess Phillips remains in post.</p><p>The women have contacted the prime minister and the home secretary outlining a range of conditions for their continued participation. They say Phillips has “devoted her life to hearing and amplifying the voices of women and girls who would have otherwise been unheard”.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2025/oct/23/five-grooming-gang-survivors-tell-pm-they-will-stay-on-panel-only-if-jess-phillips-remains-in-post">Continue reading...</a>