LABOUR’S grooming gangs inquiry has been plunged into fresh chaos after the remaining candidate to lead it pulled out.
just a day after , leaving the flagship probe without a chair.
Former top cop Jim Gamble has pulled out of the running, just a day after social worker Annie Hudson also withdrew, leaving Labour’s grooming inquiry without any candidates to chair itCredit: PA
Victim Fiona Goddard, who walked out earlier this week, said safeguarding minister Jess Phillips MP had called her a liar for raising concerns that the inquiry’s focus was being shiftedCredit: Getty
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch accused Sir Keir Starmer of a ‘briefing war’ against survivorsCredit: Reuters
The former head of the Royal Ulster Constabulary’s Special Branch in Belfast said he was stepping down because some victims had “a lack of confidence” in him “due to my previous occupation”.
Mr Gamble also blasted the “highly charged and toxic environment” surrounding the process, accusing opposition politicians of “opportunism and point-scoring.”
He denied ever having come under pressure to change the scope of the probe and said: “Everybody needs to park their own petty personal or political issues and focus on what’s right for victims.”
A chairman must be found urgently, he added, otherwise the evidence will “stale” and those “who need to be held account” will move on, retire or die.
His exit means it is not clear who will now lead the inquiry which was first announced in June.
A spokesman said: “We are disappointed that candidates to chair that inquiry have withdrawn.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.”
It comes after four survivors quit the inquiry’s advisory panel, claiming Labour ministers were attempting to .
, said safeguarding minister MP had called her a liar for raising concerns that the inquiry’s focus was being shifted.
Another survivor, Elizabeth, from Rotherham, said appointing a former officer would be inappropriate as they would have come from a profession previously involved in covering up grooming scandals.
At Prime Minister’s Questions, Conservative leader and demanded Ms Phillips is sacked.
She said: “Labour never wanted this inquiry, we demanded it.
“It has been Labour-run councils, Trafford, Bradford, Blackpool, that tried to suppress the truth.
“It is Labour ministers attacking the victims.
“We’re standing up for them.”
PM Sir Keir said the .
He announced earlier this year, will now help steer the inquiry.
Baroness Casey previously found officials avoided tackling grooming gangs for fear of being called racist.
The PM also defended Ms Phillips, telling the Commons that she probably had more experience than any other serving MP in dealing with violence against women and girls.
Tory leader Kemi Badenoch grilling Sir Keir Starmer during Prime Minister’s Questions in the House of Commons on WednesdayCredit: PA
There have been calls from survivors for safeguarding minister Jess Phillips to quit her roleCredit: PA 
