[Telegraph] --- Misplaced political correctness by Rotherham's Labour led council combined with a staggering culture of denial allowed more than 1,400 vulnerable girls to be routinely abused by gangs of Asian men, a withering report has concluded.
Children as young as nine were groomed, trafficked and raped by members of the town's Pakistani community, but a desperation to avoid being labelled as racist, meant councillors turned a blind eye to the appalling abuse for 16-years.
Yesterday a damning report, written by former Victims' Commissioner, Louise Casey, laid bare the true extent of the council's failings and accused those in charge of deliberately trying to cover up scandal and silence whistle-blowers.
Just minutes after the report's findings were published the entire Labour Cabinet of Rotherham Council resigned and Communities Secretary Eric Pickles announced he was sending in Government Commissioners to run things until new elections could be held next year.
Ms Casey praised the bravery of whistle-blowers in exposing the truth about the scandal but accused council officials of failing to listen to them.
The report said that the council went to 'considerable lengths' to cover up information adding: 'It has created an unhealthy climate where people fear to speak out'.
In a statement to the Commons, Mr Pickles said: 'Some councillors have not lived up to the high standards expected of those in public life or their positions of responsibility.' |