Grooming gang survivors say ministers trying to water down inquiry despite reassurances

The article discusses concerns raised by grooming gang survivors regarding the UK government's alleged attempts to manipulate the focus of a national inquiry. Survivors claim that they were asked about a "broader approach," despite assurances from Shabana Mahmood that the inquiry's focus would not change. The survivors suspect the government is trying to divert attention from the role of Labour-led councils, appoint a government-friendly chair, and avoid questions about the ethnicity of the perpetrators, many of whom were men of Pakistani descent. They believe the government is trying to water down the inquiry's scope and avoid addressing the specific issues surrounding grooming gang crimes. The article highlights the tension between the government's stated commitment to the inquiry and the survivors' concerns about potential interference or attempts to dilute the investigation's focus on the grooming gang issue.