🔵 Sunderland Conservatives Call for Lucy Powell’s Resignation Over “Dog Whistle” Remarks on Grooming Gangs

The Sunderland Conservative Group is calling for the immediate resignation of Lucy Powell MP, Leader of the House of Commons, following her dismissive characterization of the grooming gangs scandal as a “dog whistle” issue during a recent appearance on BBC Radio 4’s Any Questions.

The remarks have sparked widespread condemnation, with critics accusing Powell of betraying victims of child sexual abuse. The Labour Government’s refusal to support a national inquiry into grooming gangs — alongside its recent decision to scrap the national compensation scheme for abuse victims — has further intensified criticism.

Cllr Antony Mullen, Leader of the Sunderland Conservatives, stated:

> “Lucy Powell’s words expose what we know to be Labour’s attitude toward grooming gangs. They find any discussion of them to be uncouth and would rather this issue was just forgotten about. We now learn of the cancellation of the compensation scheme for victims, established by the Conservative government, which only confirms this point.

Powell’s comments and tone were both unacceptable and showed no sympathy for the victims of grooming gangs. Keir Starmer has confirmed he has full confidence in her — but right-minded people do not. She should go.”