by Mark Brown, Guardian
UK government ‘effectively allowed’ child sexual abuse, campaigners say
Campaigners have accused the UK government of in effect allowing child abuse to continue by having an “inconsistent and arbitrary” approach to implementing recommendations from a seven-year statutory inquiry.
The claim was made at the high court in London, where a judge said a legal action against the Home Office could continue.
The Maggie Oliver Foundation is taking action over the government’s alleged failure to adopt all the changes recommended by the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA), which conducted investigations between 2015 and 2022.
At a hearing on Thursday, Mr Justice Kimblin allowed the legal action to continue, saying it was arguable that the foundation had a “legitimate expectation” that the government would implement the recommendations. The Home Office is defending the claim.
Campaigners have accused the UK government of in effect allowing child abuse to continue by having an “inconsistent and arbitrary” approach to implementing recommendations from a seven-year statutory inquiry.
The claim was made at the high court in London, where a judge said a legal action against the Home Office could continue.
The Maggie Oliver Foundation is taking action over the government’s alleged failure to adopt all the changes recommended by the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA), which conducted investigations between 2015 and 2022.
At a hearing on Thursday, Mr Justice Kimblin allowed the legal action to continue, saying it was arguable that the foundation had a “legitimate expectation” that the government would implement the recommendations. The Home Office is defending the claim.
Oliver set up her foundation after quitting her job as a detective with Greater Manchester police to become a whistleblower and speak out about police failings in child exploitation.
Christopher Jacobs, for the foundation, told the court that 17 of the 20 recommendations made by the IICSA had not been implemented as of 8 July 2025.
The three recommendations at the centre of the claim relate to recording the age, ethnicity, religion and occupation of perpetrators of child sexual abuse, ending the use of pain-inducing restraint on children in custody and ensuring those in care have greater access to justice.
PRESS RELEASE: HIGH COURT GRANTS HISTORIC PERMISSION FOR
@TMOFCharity The Maggie Oliver Foundation TO CHALLENGE GOVERNMENT ON FAILURE TO ACT ON CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE AND EXPLOITATION