'We've been working on this for 15 years, people who've Googled it for 15 minutes think they're experts'

The gruesome history of grooming gangs preying on young girls in towns and cities across England is well and truly in full focus again.

Elon Musk, the world's richest man, has reignited a row over the issue, amplifying claims of a 'cover-up'. He has aggressively accused those in power today of refusing to look into past failings - including those who have been at the forefront of the fight for justice.

Obsessively posting on X - the social media platform Mr Musk owns - earlier this month, he called safeguarding minister Jess Phillips a 'rape genocide apologist', overlooking her record as an advocate for domestic and sexual abuse victims. And he said that Keir Starmer, who in his previous role running the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) made it easier to prosecute perpetrators, was 'complicit' too.

"We've been working on it for 15 years or thereabouts - and longer," says Nazir Afzal, the former North West chief prosecutor who helped lock up grooming gangs in the region. "People who've Googled for 15 minutes certainly think they're the experts in this field."

The political row that followed Mr Musk’s comments saw the Conservatives call for a 'full national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal', with Reform UK leader Nigel Farage also wading in.

These calls were echoed by some Labour MPs and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham.

It's left some survivors feeling exploited for political gain. But ultimately, it forced the government to take action.

Last week, the home secretary announced that Oldham and up to four other areas would get help to set up their own local reviews into grooming gangs. It comes after Mrs Phillips rejected a request from Oldham council for a government-led inquiry into the issue.

Ex-GMP detective