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Another candidate was in line to become president Interrogation from grooming gang He withdrew his name after survivors raised concerns that he had links to the police.
Jim Gamble, a former Northern Ireland police officer, hit out at politicians who prioritize “their own little personal or political issues” and “Playing games” with inquiries. As soon as he withdrew his name from the race on Wednesday, The investigation has been thrown into further chaos,
In outspoken comments, Mr Gamble accused people of “misusing and abusing” their position to give victims “derogatory and inaccurate information” about the investigation, which has been carried out. affected by allegations of cover-up,
He later criticized those who were “causing mischief”, highlighting his former police career, saying it was “nonsense” to say that he would “associate himself with any political party to hide his embarrassment”.
Mr Gamble’s withdrawal came a day after another candidate for the role, Anne Hudson, the former director of children’s services for Lambeth, withdrew her name, leaving the government scrambling for alternatives.
Sir keir starmer previously announced that he was drafting in lewis casey To “support” the work of the struggling inquiry after four women from the inquiry’s victims and survivors panel resigned citing a “toxic environment”. He also claimed that there were proposals to expand the scope of the investigation, which home office Have refused.
Asked why he stepped back, Mr Gamble, who also led the National Crime Agency’s Child Exploitation and Online Protection Command until 2010, told Sky News: “I think the level of toxicity is increasing and the fact is that amidst a lot of misinformation, I think many victims and survivors were being disrespected and misinformed, and I have a real feeling that some of them have had their positions and influence taken with them. was about using and abusing.”
He added: “Everyone needs to put aside their petty personal or political issues and focus on what is right for the victims.
“Stepping back, I’m trying to do that, but these other guys need to stop playing games with it, because really this is the opportunity of a lifetime.”
He also warned that the right chair must be found urgently because “the longer you wait, the older the evidence becomes, the more people who should be held responsible move on and retire or die”.
A home office The spokesperson said they were “disappointed” that the candidates had withdrawn their names.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir attempted to save the struggling inquiry by announcing that Baroness Casey would “support the work” of the inquiry, which she said would “get to the truth”.
He told MPs that “there will be no room for injustice to be hidden”, adding that “the door will always be open” for those who left the remaining panel of investigations if they wished to return.
Responding to Kemi Badenoch, Sir Keir said: “The investigation has neither slowed down nor will it ever slow downIts scope will not change.”
Baroness Casey previously led a national audit of group-based child sexual exploitation which found there were “numerous examples” of organizations shying away from discussion of ethnicity or cultural factors in such crimes “for fear of appearing racist”.
Their findings, published in June 2025, prompted Sir Keir to order the creation of a national inquiry.
The resignations of Fiona Goddard, Ellie-Ann Reynolds and two other unnamed women from the victims and survivors panel have created uncertainty around the investigation.
Security Minister Jess Phillips has also faced calls to resign, with Ms Goddard accusing the MP of calling her a “liar” after she disputed allegations that the investigation was being undermined.
In a letter to the Home Secretary, Mr Gamble said there was a “highly charged and toxic environment” surrounding the appointment process. He also said that, among some victims and survivors, there is a “lack of confidence because of my previous occupation”.
He wrote, “I made a commitment that I would not proceed if this consensus of belief did not exist, and I must now remain true to my word.”
He added: “The response to the appointment process has been defined more by the vested interests of a few, as well as political opportunism and point-scoring, rather than the cross-party consensus needed to address such a serious national issue.
“Victims and survivors, who have been let down too often in the past, deserve better than to be used by someone for short-term gain. Move on. I hope they remain at the absolute center of this investigation.”
A home office “The grooming gang scandal was one of the darkest moments in this country’s history,” the spokesperson said Wednesday.
“That’s why it Government Committed to a full, statutory, national investigation to uncover the truth. This is very little that the victims of these despicable crimes deserve.
“We are disappointed that the candidates to chair that inquiry have withdrawn their names. This is an extremely sensitive topic, and we need to take the time to appoint the best person suitable for the role.
“The Home Secretary has been clear: there will be nowhere to hide for those who abuse the most vulnerable in our society.”