Andy Burnham accused of having 'no political will' to prioritise grooming gang victims amid early release scheme pause

Andy Burnham's Labour Government has been accused of having "no political will" to prioritise the victims and survivors of grooming gangs when it comes to the early release scheme.

Speaking to GB News, safeguard lead Claire Adams argued that the scheme was only put on pause by Prime Minister Andy Burnham after backlash over the possible release of two of PC Andrew Harper's killers.

Discussing the pause on the People's Channel, Ms Adams stressed that many victims and survivors feel they are "not enough" for the Government to consider.

She said: "I met with these ladies and with Kemi Badenoch on July 7 only a few weeks ago, and we spoke extensively about the early release scheme. And every single one of the victims, survivors, advocates and their family members said the same thing – why do we not mean enough?

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"And that's been proven just two weeks later, when Andy Burnham came out and suggested that PC Harper's family would probably come before the victims and survivors, and it's always the case that they're always put into the rear end, the back end of the thoughts of our Government.

"And I find it really unfair that these victims and survivors have been let down for so many years. And yet again, when the opportunity is given to this Labour Government, they decide to forget about them."

Asked whether she would back Parliament being recalled early from the summer recess to support changes to the legislation, Ms Adams "absolutely" agreed.

She told GB News: "I spoke to Kieran Mullan quite extensively on the 7th of July and he said whilst they are all on recess, they'll be working really hard in the background, and this was fully supported cross-party.

"When we actually watched the debate with Jake Richards at the time, I saw all parties bar Labour, maybe two or three Labour politicians who are actually supporting this now."

The safeguarding lead argued that if Parliament can enact "such quick legislation for a football game", they can push for the early release legislation to be changed.

She said: "As far as I'm concerned, if they can put in such quick legislation for a football game, then why do they not have the political will for something so serious?

"These offenders are the worst offenders in the UK right now - paedophiles, rapists and murderers, I just don't understand."

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Highlighting the concern for the safety of those survivors whose abusers are being released early, Ms Adams told GB News that there is an "added layer" of protection for these women.

She said: "It always seems like the political will is never there for these victims. Right now I'm dealing with victims who are being bullied, chastised in their own homes and we're having to move victims into different housing.

"We have safeguard measures in place right now, but currently alarm bells are ringing. West Yorkshire Police have been fantastic with a few of the victims."

Ms Adams continued: "We have victims in hiding because not only are there perpetrators being released, but they've also got the family members who will be angry that they possibly might not be released.

"So we've got this added layer of protection that we have to put around the victims. And all the while people are in Government choosing other priorities, and I find it's so unfair and disingenuous."

The Prime Minister has said of the pause in the scheme: "Keeping the public safe will always be my top priority.

"I am working closely with the new Justice Secretary and have instructed my team to put a pause on the changes that were due to start in September.

"No prisoners will be let out under this policy until we have conducted an urgent review and done everything we can to minimise risk to the public. Where changes are needed, we will not hesitate to make them."

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