MP's "False Narrative" Claim on Grooming Gangs Sparks Controversy

An independent Member of Parliament, Ayoub Khan, characterized the grooming gangs scandal as a "false-right-wing narrative" during a speech at a gathering of British Pakistani politicians. Khan, who represents Birmingham Perry Barr and is part of a parliamentary pro-Gaza alliance, stated that the narrative surrounding grooming gangs was designed to create division. He argued that the right-wing media and others were using this narrative to undermine and sow discord. Khan emphasized the importance of addressing false narratives immediately to prevent them from spreading and causing division within communities.

Khan's remarks were made at the Mirpur Airport Demand Grand Conference in Birmingham, where British Pakistani MPs were advocating for a new airport in the city. His comments drew criticism from former Labour MP Khalid Mahmood, who lost his seat to Khan in the 2024 election. Mahmood stressed the importance of addressing issues within the community and stated that there should be no tolerance for those who commit heinous acts against young girls. He shared a personal experience of a Mirpuri Pakistani girl who was raped and did not report the crime due to shame. Mahmood emphasized the need to confront the reality of the situation and not dismiss it as a right-wing narrative.

In response to the criticism, Khan clarified his position, stating that he strongly disagreed with the suggestion that acknowledging the political misuse of grooming gang narratives indicated naivety or malice. He asserted that all forms of child sexual exploitation are abhorrent and must be addressed with zero tolerance. Khan argued that the focus should not be selectively placed on certain ethnic or religious groups, particularly Muslims or British Pakistanis, as the data does not support their unique culpability. He cited a 2020 Home Office review that concluded there was no credible evidence of this type of offending being more prevalent among Asian or Muslim communities.

Khan further explained that the national conversation is often dominated by high-profile cases involving British Pakistani men, which are used by the far right to fuel division, distrust, and Islamophobia. He emphasized that his argument was not about denying the experiences of victims but about addressing all perpetrators equally and ensuring that justice is not influenced by political agendas. Khan pointed out that the majority of child sex abuse is committed by white men, often in family or institutional settings, and that the term "grooming gang" has become a racialized shorthand, often associated with Muslim men, which is both dangerous and inaccurate. He also highlighted systemic failures in policing, social services, and institutional cultures of disbelief as the root causes of the problem, rather than blaming a specific community.