London Mayor Sadiq Khan has faced serious allegations of "taking the mickey" out of grooming gang victims following a tense exchange at the London Assembly. The controversy stems from the mayor's previous comments that there was "no indication of grooming gangs" operating in the capital.
Heated Exchange in City Hall
During Thursday's assembly session, Conservative member Susan Hall launched a direct attack on the mayor, accusing him of dismissing legitimate concerns about organised grooming networks in London. The confrontation highlighted growing tensions over how authorities are addressing historical child sexual exploitation cases.
Ms Hall challenged the mayor directly, stating: "In January, I asked if we had grooming gangs in London. You dismissed my question by pretending you didn't know what I meant, 'What does she mean, Chair? What is she talking about?'"
The Conservative assembly member didn't hold back, adding: "I have to tell you the rape victims knew exactly what I was talking about, and so did most other people. So would you like to apologise to all the victims of the rape gangs that saw you dismiss this?"
Khan's Defence and Clarification
Sir Sadiq responded by seeking to clarify the definition of "grooming gangs" according to the national inquiry announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in June. He outlined the substantial support systems his administration has implemented for victims of sexual exploitation.
The mayor pointed to his record in strengthening child protection measures, noting he had asked His Majesty's Inspector of Constabulary to investigate the Metropolitan Police. He emphasised that his administration has embedded the resulting recommendations and funded record amounts to tackle violence against women and girls.
"I've led efforts to strengthen the protection of children and those exploited by abuse and exploitation," Sir Sadiq stated during the heated session.
Scale of the Problem Revealed
The debate comes against a backdrop of shocking revelations about the scale of child exploitation in London. The Metropolitan Police confirmed last month they were reviewing 9,000 cases of child exploitation in the capital.
Many of these cases are expected to be referred to Operation Beaconport, which specifically examines cases involving multiple suspects, multiple victims, contact offences, and situations where suspects remain alive. The operation is reviewing cases spanning from January 1, 2010 to March 31, 2025.
Met Police Chief Sir Mark Rowley told the Assembly that reinvestigations of historical cases could amount to two to three thousand incidents, requiring several years and at least 60 to 80 specialist officers to handle properly.
Sir Mark emphasised the force's determination, stating: "We are determined that, with others, the Met will safeguard victims wherever possible and bring those responsible to justice."
The ongoing political confrontation and police investigation highlight the continuing challenges facing London authorities in addressing historical child sexual exploitation and providing justice for victims.
