Four councils back motion to classify ‘Asian grooming gangs’ as an Islamophobic term

Oxford: So, four councils have jumped on board to support a motion that calls the term “Asian grooming gangs” Islamophobic. It’s a pretty big deal, right?

These councils—Oxford, Newcastle, Manchester, and Calderdale—are backing a report that says this phrase spreads harmful stereotypes about Islam. The report comes from the All-Party Parliamentary Group for British Muslims.

It argues that using the term promotes old stereotypes about Islam, linking it to things like sexual misconduct and violence. They believe this kind of language makes Muslims more vulnerable to hate crimes.

Now, the government is looking into this report for more discussion. Just the other day, MPs turned down a Conservative push for another national inquiry into grooming gangs.

The whole issue flared up again when Elon Musk accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of being “complicit” in child sex crimes during his time as a prosecutor. Musk didn’t stop there; he also called out Home Office Minister Jess Phillips.

Sir Keir fired back, saying Musk was spreading lies. Other European leaders also criticized Musk for trying to meddle in elections.

Meanwhile, Minister Alex Davies-Jones is saying it’s time for “less talk and more action.” Professor Alexis Jay, who led a major inquiry, pointed out that victims want real action, not just more inquiries.

Interestingly, dropping the term “Asian grooming gangs” might help avoid linking one race to these crimes, especially since a report showed that 85% of group-based child abusers were white in early 2024.

But not everyone is on board with this change. Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp has criticized the councils, saying they’re trying to manipulate the definition of Islamophobia to silence discussions about these serious issues.

Philp argued that it’s insulting to the victims, especially since these councils have been involved in covering up such crimes. He believes this new definition could endanger those who speak the truth about grooming gangs.

Musk has claimed that over a million kids have been victims of grooming gangs in the UK, but that number has been challenged. In Calderdale, for instance, 20 men were convicted for exploiting four girls, receiving sentences totaling over 200 years.

The Calderdale council has stated that they take child safeguarding very seriously and investigate all allegations thoroughly.