Analysis of Sadiq Khan’s Position on London Grooming Gang Inquiries and Broader Implications for Child Sexual Exploitation Policy

Introduction

Recent debates surrounding London Mayor Sadiq Khan’s approach to proposed inquiries into child sexual exploitation networks—often labeled as “grooming gangs”—have ignited fierce political and public scrutiny.

This article emphatically examines the unfounded claims that Khan “shut down an investigation into grooming gangs across 50 London neighborhoods with high Pakistani populations.”

These allegations must be contextualized within critical discussions of institutional accountability, ethnic profiling, and the necessary policy responses to systemic abuse.

Contextualizing the Grooming Gang Phenomenon in the UK

Historical Background of Grooming Gangs

Child sexual exploitation (CSE) by organized groups in the UK became a pressing national issue after high-profile cases in Rotherham, Rochdale, and Telford, where thousands of predominantly white, working-class girls suffered abuse over several decades.

Independent inquiries, such as the 2014 Jay Report, starkly revealed systemic failures among police and social services to protect victims, mainly due to an unwarranted fear of being labeled racist when the perpetrators were identified as British-Pakistani men.

Though group-based CSE constitutes a mere 3.7% of all child sexual abuse cases in 2023, its racialized narrative has unfortunately dominated political discourse.

Ethnicity and Political Sensitivity

The connection between grooming gangs and British-Pakistani communities remains a contentious battleground.

Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman’s claim that perpetrators are “overwhelmingly British-Pakistani” has rightly faced criticism for its lack of empirical backing and for perpetuating damaging stereotypes.

A 2020 Home Office report unequivocally found insufficient evidence tying ethnicity to group-based CSE, stating that most offenders are, in fact, white. Despite this factual landscape, media narratives and political rhetoric continue to conflate high-profile cases with broader demographic trends, complicating efforts to tackle exploitation without unjustly stigmatizing specific communities.

Sadiq Khan’s Response to Calls for a London Inquiry

The London Assembly Debate

In January and February 2025, Conservative members of the London Assembly, led by Susan Hall and Lord Bailey, relentlessly pressured Mayor Khan to initiate a London-specific inquiry into historic grooming gangs.

Their demands stemmed from a GB News investigation that identified over 50 towns across the UK with documented abuse networks, yet only one—Tower Hamlets—found itself within London’s boundaries.

Hall accused Khan of dodging questions by asking for definitions of “grooming gangs“ and refusing to allocate dedicated funding for investigations.

On February 25, 2025, the London Assembly voted on a Conservative amendment to Khan’s budget, proposing £4.49 million for an independent inquiry.

This amendment was soundly defeated 16–9, with Labour, Green, Liberal Democrat, and Independent members standing in opposition.

Critics asserted that the 2022 Jay Inquiry, surrounding Tower Hamlets and ongoing national reviews, rendered a separate London inquiry entirely redundant.

Khan’s office rightfully prioritized victim support in alignment with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper’s national strategy.

Allegations of Political Avoidance

Opponents have characterized Khan’s reluctance as “stonewalling,” labeling it as indifference to victims. Susan Hall further claimed Khan’s requests for clarification were disingenuous, stating, “Everyone knows what grooming gangs are.”

However, Khan’s supporters robustly countered that an overemphasis on ethnicity threatens to undermine comprehensive efforts to combat exploitation.

They pointed out his unwavering commitment to funding victim services and collaborating with the Met Police’s CSE units.

Debunking Misconceptions and Analyzing Motives

The “50 Neighborhoods” Claim

The assertion that Khan blocked an inquiry into “50 London neighborhoods with high Pakistani populations” blatantly conflates national and local data.

The GB News list of 50 towns pertains to locations across the UK, not exclusively in London.

While London does have diverse demographics that include significant British-Pakistani communities, no evidence substantiates the notion that 50 neighborhoods in the capital are hotspots for grooming gangs.

Including Tower Hamlets in the Jay Inquiry does not signify widespread abuse networks throughout the city.

Institutional and Political Dynamics

Khan’s opposition to the inquiry reflects the broader Labour Party’s skepticism regarding localized investigations.

Home Secretary Cooper’s 2025 announcement of five government-backed local reviews (including Oldham) prioritized targeted, evidence-based interventions over sweeping, unproductive inquiries. Labor members firmly argued that duplicating these efforts in London could waste resources and delay essential reforms.

Conversely, Conservatives have leveraged the rejection to criticize Labour’s record on public safety, framing it as a betrayal of victims.

Ethnic Profiling and Community Impact

The ongoing debate raises critical concerns about racial scapegoating. Khan, standing as the UK’s first Muslim mayor, has unequivocally condemned the rhetoric linking grooming gangs to British-Pakistani identity as “racist” and “dangerous.”

This stance is echoed by researchers who warn against conflating ethnicity with criminality.

National Policy Responses and Ongoing Challenges

The 2025 National Audit and Local Inquiries

In January 2025, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper launched a rapid national audit to assess the scale and drivers of group-based CSE, including demographic analysis. Led by Baroness Casey, the audit aims to inform culturally sensitive interventions while avoiding ethnic profiling.

Concurrently, £10 million was allocated to five local inquiries, building on lessons from the Telford and Rotherham investigations.

These measures seek to balance accountability with community cohesion, though victims’ advocates demand stronger statutory powers to compel testimony.

The Role of Media and Political Narratives

Media outlets like GB News and The Pamphlet have amplified claims of political correctness enabling abuse, often emphasizing British-Pakistani perpetrators.

Conversely, outlets such as The Guardian and BBC stress the diversity of offenders and warn against stigmatization.

Elon Musk’s interventions—criticizing PM Keir Starmer and demanding inquiries—further politicized the issue, with critics accusing him of emboldening far-right narratives.

Conclusion

Toward a Nuanced Approach to CSE

The controversy surrounding Sadiq Khan underscores the tension between addressing historical institutional failures and avoiding divisive identity politics.

While allegations of inaction resonate with victims’ families, the focus on ethnicity risks alienating communities critical to preventing exploitation.

Effective policy must prioritize victim-centered justice, robust data collection, and cross-institutional collaboration, ensuring that all perpetrators—regardless of background—are held accountable.

London’s debate reflects a national imperative: confronting child sexual exploitation requires transcending partisan rhetoric and fostering unity against a shared societal evil.

Only through nuanced, evidence-based approaches can the UK hope to heal past wounds and protect future generations.