# Starmer could be summoned to give evidence at grooming gangs inquiry

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/starmer-could-be-summoned-to-give-evidence-at-grooming-gangs-inquiry/
- Published: 2026-10-22T16:18:14+00:00
- Original publisher: The Independent (publisher lean: Left)
- Original article: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/starmer-grooming-gangs-inquiry-b3071509.html
- Topics: Americas, Art, Culture, Politics, World

## Key points

- Starmer has core participant status in the inquiry.
- He could be called to give evidence, but this is not automatic.
- Hearings are due to begin in December.

## Summary

The inquiry has granted former prime minister Sir Keir Starmer core participant status, giving him formal rights to take part and making it possible he could be summoned to give evidence. The status does not mean he will automatically be required to testify; hearings are due to begin in December.

The £65 million inquiry, led by former children’s commissioner Baroness Anne Longfield, will run for three years and can compel witnesses and require organisations to hand over documents. It is examining failures in responses to child sexual exploitation in areas including Birmingham, Bradford, Keighley, London, Oldham and parts of Wales. The inquiry followed criticism of Starmer’s initial resistance to a national probe and faced delays, resignations and disputes over its scope.

## Coverage

- [The Independent: Starmer could be summoned to give evidence at grooming gangs inquiry](https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/starmer-grooming-gangs-inquiry-b3071509.html)
- [Sky News: Sir Keir Starmer could be summoned to give evidence to grooming gangs inquiry](https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-starmer-could-be-summoned-to-give-evidence-to-grooming-gangs-inquiry-13602297)

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.