Casey: Experts resigned from mayor's inquiry when authorities 'lawyered up'

THE independent experts who Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham appointed to his local grooming gangs inquiry resigned after authorities 'lawyered up', a Parliamentary committee has heard.

- 

That's according to Baroness Louise Caey, whose report into grooming gangs this week has led to a new national inquiry being launched.

Speaking at the Home Affairs committee about the findings from her 'rapid national audit' the government commissioned in January, Baroness Casey explained why she has now 'shifted' her position and believes an inquiry with statutory powers is needed.

She told MPs that despite the government offering to fund local inquiries in Oldham and four other areas, 'nobody (except Oldham) came forward'. She then spoke about the independent assurance review launched by the Greater Manchester mayor in 2017.