A third survivor has walked away this week from the government’s grooming gangs inquiry. “Elizabeth”, from Rotherham, resigned and joined Bradford’s Fiona Goddard and Barrow’s Ellie Reynolds in quitting the victims and survivors liaison panel.

In her resignation letter, Elizabeth said the process felt like “a cover‑up” and “scripted and predetermined”, arguing that engagement has been stage‑managed rather than shaped by open conversation. She said the panel’s atmosphere had turned toxic as suspicions grew over alleged media leaks.

Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips rejected any suggestion of a cover‑up, saying the government is committed to exposing failures behind “these appalling crimes”. She maintains the inquiry’s remit will remain “laser‑focused”, not diluted. Goddard later called those denials “a blatant lie”.

Announced by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer in June, the national inquiry will cover England and Wales and includes a survivors’ panel to oversee the work. But there is still no chair. The BBC understands former senior social worker Annie Hudson, who had been floated for the role, has stepped back after media scrutiny, while ex‑deputy chief constable Jim Gamble has held a listening meeting with survivors.

That shortlist has cut little ice in the North. Goddard, who was abused while living in a Bradford children’s home, says policing and social work were the very services that “contributed most to the cover‑up”. Reynolds argues putting “establishment insiders” in charge is a conflict, while Elizabeth says the chair should be legally trained and impartial.

The three women also accuse officials of watering down the inquiry by expanding the scope beyond grooming gangs into wider child sexual abuse and exploitation. Elizabeth says “selective narratives” are being promoted, particularly around race and the push to widen the brief, and Reynolds fears this would play down the racial and religious motivations behind their abuse. Goddard also argues many on the panel are not grooming‑gang survivors and are pressing for a broader remit.

Phillips told MPs she regretted the departures, added “my door is always open”, and stressed that not all victims share the same view. She also noted the survivors’ panel is managed by a grooming gang charity, not by ministers. The Home Office has been contacted for comment.

Conservative shadow home secretary Chris Philp said the inquiry was “descending into chaos” and called for a senior judge to lead it to guarantee independence. Phillips rejected a judicial‑led model, citing Baroness Casey’s view that this approach is not right, and warned it is hard to find any chair not linked to institutions that failed victims: “There is no institution in our country that hasn’t failed.”

For communities in Rotherham, Bradford and Barrow, this is about trust as much as terms of reference. Until a chair is appointed and the remit is set out plainly, confidence will be hard won. The inquiry will only carry weight if northern survivors feel they are being heard - and are shaping what happens next.