UMVA has learned that Labour candidate Andy Burnham was recently confronted by a voter while out on the campaign trail ahead of the Makerfield by-election, and the encounter turned heated over Burnham's handling of a report on child sexual exploitation.
The voter, armed with a camera, challenged Burnham about his lack of support for the Rape Gang Enquiry, sparking a tense exchange. When asked if he had ordered an investigation into the issue, Burnham replied, 'I did, I ordered one.' The man behind the camera disagreed, accusing Burnham of a cover-up, to which Burnham responded, 'I ordered one in 2017.'
The voter pressed on, demanding to know why the investigation hadn't progressed, and Burnham shot back, 'It has, go and read online. One into Manchester, one into Oldham, one into Rochdale, new charges.' The Greater Manchester Mayor later claimed the person filming was 'a Restore supporter from Sheffield.'
Burnham's handling of the report on child sexual exploitation has been a point of contention, particularly given the sensitive nature of the issue. Baroness Beverley Hughes was tasked with compiling an initial review of issues relating to child sexual exploitation in July 2017, and her findings led Burnham to commission an independent review into CSE in Greater Manchester.
The review, led by Malcolm Newsam CBE and Gary Ridgway, published its first report in January 2020, detailing how victims were let down by the police and local authorities. Maggie Oliver, a former detective constable who resigned over the force's handling of the case, has praised two of the reports as 'quite thorough' but has been critical of the Oldham inquiry and the police's current approach to the issue.
Oliver has even gone so far as to say that Burnham should not become Prime Minister due to his handling of the grooming gangs report. Burnham has since backed a 'limited' national inquiry into CSE, but his stance on the issue has raised concerns among some, including Oliver.
In a surprising move, Sir Keir Starmer announced a national inquiry in June 2025, following an audit carried out by Baroness Louise Casey. The inquiry aims to shed more light on the issue and hold authorities accountable for their handling of CSE cases.
