SAM ROWLANDS, Member of the Welsh Parliament for Fflint Wrecsam says he is disappointed that Plaid Cymru won’t back a Wales wide grooming gang inquiry.
Speaking in the Senedd, Mr Rowlands Welsh Conservative spokesperson for Families asked the First Minister, Rhun ap Iowerth, for assurances over safeguarding people.
He said: “I think it’s absolutely right for Members to ask for assurances from its Government as to the safeguarding arrangements that are in place for any type of people across our country, because safeguarding our communities is a fundamental role of us all.
“The First Minister will be aware that one of the biggest safeguarding scandals of our time has been that of the grooming gangs seen across the UK, and it shows what happens when authorities fail to ask difficult questions or to properly investigate concerns: victims being let down.
“We have a duty to make sure that those mistakes never are repeated. That’s why I’m disappointed that Plaid Cymru has refused to back a Wales-wide grooming gangs inquiry.
“At a time when survivors are asking for answers, surely we should be looking at those issues more closely, not shutting down further scrutiny.
“If the Welsh Government is confident that safeguarding measures are working across Wales, why won’t it support a Wales-wide inquiry to help give victims the answers they deserve and reassure the public that lessons have been learned?”
The First Minister said: “On grooming gangs, I’m quite clear that we need to understand exactly what is happening.
“Policing is not devolved, of course, to Wales, but this Government will support any measures to make sure that we understand the threats faced by, be it young people or women in Wales, in whatever guise that might be.”
