Why are abuse survivors losing faith in the grooming gang inquiry?

The grooming gangs inquiry has been plunged into disarray this week before it has even started, as four survivors have quit the panel and two frontrunners for chairperson have withdrawn.

The inquiry was announced in June, but frustrations have grown over the pace of progress towards launching it, with pressure mounting on the government to appoint a chair and set out its terms of reference. Survivors Fiona Goddard and Ellie-Ann Reynolds were first to stand down from their roles over concerns about who could head the inquiry and fears it may be "watered down" - something Sir Keir Starmer has denied, insisting that "injustice will have no place to hide".

Both candidates shortlisted to lead the inquiry have now pulled out. Here's what we know about why panel members have quit and what the government has said in response.

Concerns over inquiry chairs The resignations came after Sky News revealed the two shortlisted chairs for the inquiry were former police chief Jim Gamble and social worker Annie Hudson. Ms Goddard was the first to resign from the survivors' liaison panel, expressing deep reservations about the candidates: "One has a background in police and the other, a social worker.

The very two services that contributed most to the cover-up of the national mass rape and trafficking of children. "This is a disturbing conflict of interest, and I fear the lack of trust in services from years of failings and corruption will have a negative impact in survivor engagement with this inquiry." The other survivors who resigned also took issue with the shortlisted chairs in their statements.

Ms Hudson withdrew her candidacy on Tuesday, while Mr Gamble pulled out of the running on Wednesday. In a letter to Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood explaining his decision, Mr Gamble said it was "clear that a lack of confidence due to my previous occupation exists among some" and that he did not want to proceed without a consensus among the victims.

A Home Office spokesperson said: "We are disappointed that candidates to chair that inquiry have withdrawn. This is an extremely sensitive topic, and we have to take the time to appoint the best person suitable for the role." Speaking to Sky News after Mr Gamble's resignation, Ms Reynolds said: "The minute that we found out their former employment, it raised red flags." She claimed they represented "the very institutions that have failed us" and that their views would not have been "unbiased" or "impartial".

During Prime Minister's Questions on Wednesday, Sir Keir said his government "will find the right person to chair the inquiry.