Public inquiries have become something of a modern spectacle, akin to the stocks of olden times but with a global audience. Televised sessions, probing questions from top barristers, and high-profile figures facing the glare of accountability dominate these inquiries, offering moments of drama that capture public attention.
We’ve seen it before: disgraced Post Office CEO Paula Vennells breaking down during questioning about the unjust prosecution of subpostmasters, or the Leveson Inquiry dragging tabloid editors into the limelight to answer for press misconduct. Most recently, Elon Musk has called for a national inquiry into the British grooming gang scandal, reigniting public debate.
However, while inquiries can deliver headlines and moments of reckoning, they are not always the best path to meaningful change. As someone who has covered grooming gang trials and sat through the gruelling proceedings of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA), I argue that a new inquiry would be a costly distraction from the urgent need for action.
A tool for political theatre?
Historically, inquiries have been used by politicians as a way to cool public outrage. Evidence sessions could be delayed for months, conclusions stretched across years, and by the time findings were published, the original scandal might have faded from public memory. Today, the dynamic has shifted. Televised inquiries have turned into high-stakes gambles, with clips of missteps living on across platforms like TikTok, YouTube, and X.
The call for a grooming gang inquiry, enthusiastically endorsed by some online factions and even opposition leader Kemi Badenoch, feels politically charged. Elon Musk’s social media advocacy has shone a spotlight on Keir Starmer’s tenure as Director of Public Prosecutions, with critics sensing an opportunity to weaken the Labour leader. Yet public embarrassment does not necessarily translate into progress, as demonstrated by previous inquiries like those into the Post Office scandal and Grenfell Tower. Victims are still waiting for justice and compensation years later, despite damning findings.
The case against another inquiry
A key point often overlooked is that an extensive inquiry into child sexual abuse has already taken place. Chaired by Professor Alexis Jay, the IICSA explored a vast array of systemic failures, including organised abuse networks. Its findings, published in 2022, were clear and urgent: a national child protection authority, stricter controls on working with vulnerable children, and mandatory reporting of sexual abuse, among other recommendations.
Yet these recommendations have largely been ignored. If the government has failed to act on the conclusions of one inquiry, why would a new one succeed? The real issue lies not in uncovering more evidence but in implementing the solutions we already have.
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Systemic failures and resource gaps
The British criminal justice system is in disarray. Courts are plagued by record delays, with over 380 sexual offence trials abandoned last year due to a lack of available barristers, judges, or magistrates. Snaresbrook Crown Court, which handles many child abuse cases, has a backlog larger than the entirety of Wales. Victims often face gruelling waits, diminishing their willingness to proceed with cases, while morale among legal professionals is at an all-time low.
These issues are compounded by broader cuts to police budgets, sold-off court buildings, and overcrowded prisons. If there is funding available for a lengthy and expensive inquiry, it would be far better spent addressing these systemic failures.
Real solutions, not performative politics
Having witnessed grooming gang trials firsthand, I can attest to the horrific nature of these crimes. The details are harrowing and highlight profound societal and institutional failings. But I have also seen the wastefulness of inquiries that produce strong findings only to be shelved.
If we are serious about tackling grooming gangs and the root causes of child sexual abuse, the priority must be action, not spectacle. We need investment in policing, full implementation of Professor Jay’s recommendations, and a justice system equipped to deliver swift, fair trials. These measures will have a far greater impact than any headline-grabbing inquiry.
Calls for another inquiry may generate media interest, but they risk diverting attention and resources from the real work required. It’s time to prioritise meaningful investment and systemic change over performative gestures – no matter how many clicks they garner on social media.
