Last remaining candidate for chairman groomer gang investigation recused himself from the controversy after survivors raised concerns about his ties to police.
Jim Gamble, a former Northern Ireland police officer, criticized politicians who put “their petty personal or political issues” first and “play” with the request when he withdrew his name from Wednesday's election, plunging the probe into further chaos.
In candid comments, Mr Gamble blamed people “using and abusing” their positions for leaving victims “disrespected and misinformed” in an investigation that was suffered from accusations of a cover-up.
He later criticized those “who were scheming” by highlighting his former police career, saying it was “nonsense” to suggest he would join “any political party to hide his blush.”
Mr Gamble's withdrawal comes a day after Annie Hudson, another candidate for the job and a former director of children's services in Lambeth, withdrew her name, leaving the Government to look for alternatives.
Keir Starmer: “The investigation will not be softened and never will be softened. Its scale will not change” (PA)
Sir Keir Starmer previously announced that he was preparing Louise Casey to “support” the work of the embattled inquiry after four women on the inquiry's panel of victims and survivors resigned, citing a “toxic environment”. They also stated that there were proposals to expand the scope of the investigation, which Home office refuted.
Asked why he backed down, Mr Gamble, who also headed the National Crime Agency's Child Exploitation and Online Protection Directorate until 2010, told Sky News: “I think the increasing level of toxicity and the fact that amidst a lot of misinformation, I think a lot of victims and survivors have been disrespected and misinformation and I have there is a genuine feeling that part of this is because people have used and abused their position and influence over them.”
He added: “Everyone should put aside their petty personal or political issues and focus on what is right for the victims.
“Stepping back, I'm trying to do it, but these other people need to stop playing games with it because this is actually the opportunity of a lifetime.”
Gamble criticized politicians who prioritize “their petty personal or political issues” (PA)
He also warned that a suitable chairman must be found urgently because “the longer you wait, the more stale the evidence will be, the more people who need to be brought to justice will leave and retire or die.”
A Home office A spokesman said they were “disappointed” that the candidates withdrew their candidacies.
During Prime Minister's Questions, Sir Keir attempted to salvage the stalled investigation by saying Baroness Casey would “support the work” of the inquiry, which he said would “lead to the truth”.
He told MPs there would be “nowhere for injustice to hide”, adding that “the door will always be open” for those survivors who leave the survivor group during the investigation if they wish to return.
Replying to Kemi Badenoch, Sir Keir said: “The investigation is not and will never be mitigated.. Its scale will not change.”
Baroness Casey previously led a national audit into gang sexual exploitation of children, which found “many examples” of organizations avoiding discussing ethnic or cultural factors in such crimes “for fear of being seen as racist”.
Its findings, published in June 2025, prompted Sir Keir to order a national inquiry.
The resignations of Fiona Goddard, Ellie-Anne Reynolds and two other unnamed women from the group of victims and survivors have created uncertainty around the investigation.
Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips has also faced calls to resign, with Ms Goddard accusing the MP of calling her a “liar” after she disputed claims the investigation was being watered down.
Louise Casey was called upon to support the creation of a national inquiry into grooming gangs (PA).
In a letter to the Home Secretary, Mr Gamble said there was a “very tense and toxic atmosphere” surrounding the appointment process. He also said there was a “lack of confidence among some victims and survivors due to my previous work.”
“I made a commitment that if this consensus of trust did not exist, I would not act, and now I must be true to my word,” he wrote.
He added: “The response to the appointment process has been driven more by the vested interests of a few, as well as political opportunism and point-scoring, rather than by the cross-party consensus required to tackle such a serious national problem.
“The victims and survivors who have been let down so often in the past deserve better than to be used as leverage by someone for short-term gain. Moving forward. I hope they remain at the absolute center of this investigation.”
A Home office A spokesman said on Wednesday: “The grooming gang scandal was one of the darkest moments in this country's history.
“That's why it's government is committed to conducting a full, statutory national investigation to determine the truth. This is the least that the victims of these terrible crimes deserve.
“We are disappointed that candidates to chair this inquiry have withdrawn. This is an extremely sensitive topic and we need to take the time to appoint the best person for the role.”
“The Home Secretary has made it clear: there will be no refuge for those who have abused the most vulnerable members of our society.”
