Best of the Spectator
Coffee House Shots: what's the point of public inquiries?
Jan 11, 2025
Isabel Hardman, Assistant Editor at The Spectator, sheds light on the complexities of public inquiries, questioning their effectiveness in delivering justice. Raja Miah, an anti-grooming gang campaigner, passionately argues for a nationwide inquiry, citing the failures of past investigations. They explore whether these inquiries genuinely hold power accountable or merely distract from needed legislative changes. The discussion also touches on restoring public trust in institutions and the emotional toll on victims when inquiries fall short.
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Quick takeaways
- Campaigners argue that a national inquiry into grooming gangs is essential for truth and justice, despite recent parliamentary setbacks.
- Historical examples indicate that public inquiries often fail to prompt significant political action, leaving victims without meaningful accountability or support.
Deep dives
The Need for a Public Inquiry
Campaigners emphasize the critical importance of a public inquiry into the grooming gang scandal, viewing it as a quest for truth and justice. Despite disappointment with a recent parliamentary vote against a nationwide inquiry, campaigners consider it a victory that the issue remains a topic of national discourse. The classification of the perpetrators as 'Pakistani heritage' by the Home Secretary marks a significant shift in conversation, countering accusations of far-right rhetoric against those advocating for the inquiry. Local inquiries, reliant on the goodwill of witnesses, are deemed insufficient to uncover the systemic failures involved; only a national inquiry can aspire to hold those responsible accountable.
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