Keir Starmer made a core participant in grooming gangs inquiry

Sir Keir Starmer has been named a core participant in the national inquiry into grooming gangs, which is looking at how authorities in Birmingham and other places responded to the sexual exploitation of children.

The former prime minister commissioned the inquiry last year. Being a core participant gives him formal rights to take part in its proceedings, which are due to begin in December. It does not necessarily mean he will be required to give evidence, although many core participants are asked or required to do so.

Survivors and their families, charities, whistleblowers, senior police officers and government departments are among the others given the same status.

Birmingham among six areas

The inquiry is examining how grooming gangs operated in England and Wales, and how police forces, councils, health and social care providers, schools and other public bodies responded. It has confirmed it will focus on several places where serious failings have been identified, including Birmingham, Bradford, Keighley, London, Oldham and Wales.

It is led by Baroness Anne Longfield, the former children's commissioner for England. The three-year inquiry has a budget of £65 million and statutory powers to force witnesses to give evidence and organisations to hand over documents.

"We are determined to establish the truth about these horrific crimes, understand why children were failed for so long, and ensure that those responsible for protecting them are held properly to account," she said.

"Nobody is beyond examination"

An inquiry spokesperson said decisions on core participant status considered whether a person had played, or may have played, "a direct and significant role" in the matters being examined, had a significant interest in them, or might face criticism in the inquiry's reports. "Nobody is beyond examination or transparency, and the inquiry is following the evidence, wherever it leads," the spokesperson said.

Sir Keir had initially rejected calls for a national inquiry last year, after the technology entrepreneur Elon Musk used his X platform to attack him over the scandal. After he changed course, efforts to set up the inquiry were dogged by delays, resignations and disputes over its remit.

During his campaign for the Labour leadership, Andy Burnham, now prime minister, said he had "acted immediately" on grooming gangs when he was mayor of Greater Manchester.

Hearings in London

The hearings will be held in London. After opening at the end of this year they will resume in January, March and April 2027. They will begin with evidence from victims, then look at recommendations from earlier investigations, and then examine the institutions involved before the inquiry publishes its findings.

Any evidence of crimes uncovered will be passed to Operation Beaconport, the national police operation reviewing hundreds of previously closed cases.

Nathalie Swanwick, of the law firm Simpson Millar, which represents three victims, said: "Speaking about what happened to them will not be easy, but our clients are determined to have their voices heard. They want answers, they want accountability, and above all, they want to stop other children going through what they did."

The leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Roger Harmer, issued a statement on child sexual exploitation in the city earlier this month, backed by the leaders of every political group on the council. It said Birmingham would co-operate fully with the inquiry and would "follow the evidence", adding: "Every child in Birmingham deserves to be safe. Every victim and survivor deserves to be heard."

Anyone worried about a child in Birmingham can call the council's Children's Advice and Support Service on 0121 303 1888.