Reform UK’s Belinda de Lucy condemns London Mayor Sadiq Khan for mishandling grooming gang allegations, calling for his immediate resignation amid mounting evidence of cover-ups and institutional neglect.
Belinda de Lucy, spokesperson for education and families at Reform UK, has delivered a scorching denunciation of London Mayor Sir Sadiq Khan, branding him “a curse” on the city and calling for his immediate resignation over his failure to address the deeply troubling allegations of grooming gang cover-ups. Speaking on the Daily Expresso podcast, de Lucy painted Khan’s leadership as emblematic of a city drowning in scandal and neglect, likening it to confronting “a plague and no vaccination.” Her words echo the growing discontent among ordinary Londoners, who see the mayor’s inability or unwillingness to confront these pressing issues as a sign of total incompetence.
Investigative reports from the Daily Express and MyLondon have cast serious doubt on Khan’s repeated denials that grooming gangs operate in London in any way comparable to the scandals seen in Rotherham or Rochdale. The evidence reveals disturbing cases of children being groomed, drugged, and threatened—yet, Khan’s administration has consistently downplayed the severity. Review of four reports by His Majesty’s Inspectorate between 2016 and 2025 reveals startling findings: six documented victims of grooming, information the mayor was reportedly aware of at the time, yet chose to dismiss or ignore. Boroughs like Tower Hamlets, notorious for past scandals, have emerged as hotspots of concern.
The Metropolitan Police’s recent reversal—admitting a “very significant number” of grooming investigations in London—shines a harsh light on Khan’s prior dismissals. This admission underscores a monumental failure of leadership, and yet Khan has remained silent publicly. His office touts initiatives like the £15.6 million Violence and Exploitation Support Service, claiming it demonstrates a “continued commitment” to protecting London’s children, but critics see these promises as mere window dressing in the face of mounting evidence.
Former Manchester Police detective Maggie Oliver, who exposed the Rochdale scandal, did not hold back, telling the Express that London’s grooming cases “stink,” echoing the cover-up tactics she saw in Manchester—a pattern of concealment driven by complacency. Shadow politicians and Reform UK leaders have attacked Khan, accusing him of collusion in a cover-up and demanding genuine accountability. Their frustration is compounded by revelations of systemic data mismanagement within the police, with veteran detective Bernadette Murray suggesting longstanding institutional efforts to hide the scale of grooming in London “since at least 2010,” leaving vulnerable victims unprotected.
The controversy has spilled into political exchanges at City Hall, where Khan’s evasive responses to questions about grooming gang investigations reveal a troubling pattern of denial. When pressed by Conservative leader Susan Hall, Khan allegedly dodged direct answers, further undermining public trust and fueling demands for top-down accountability.
As outrage swells across political aisles and among Londoners, the truth continues to emerge: Khan’s leadership has proven woefully inadequate in addressing a crisis that endangers the very fabric of our communities. The police’s startling admission of widespread investigations underscores a failure of oversight at every level. For the sake of the city’s children and future, urgent action is needed—something this mayor has consistently refused to deliver. London’s residents deserve transparency, decisive leadership, and accountability—none of which appear on the horizon under Sir Sadiq Khan.
Source: Noah Wire Services
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative presents recent developments, including a report from October 20, 2025, in the Daily Express, accusing Mayor Sadiq Khan of a cover-up regarding grooming gangs in London. ([magzter.com](https://www.magzter.com/stories/newspaper/Daily-Express/MAYOR-ACCUSED-OVER-GROOMING-GANGS-COVERUP-IN-CAPITAL?utm_source=openai)) The report references findings from His Majesty’s Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire & Rescue Services between 2016 and 2025, indicating ongoing concerns. The inclusion of recent data and events suggests a high freshness score.
Quotes check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative includes direct quotes from Belinda de Lucy, spokesperson for education and families at Reform UK, and Maggie Oliver, former Manchester Police detective. A search reveals that similar statements from Maggie Oliver have appeared in other outlets, such as GB News on October 20, 2025. ([gbnews.com](https://www.gbnews.com/news/grooming-gangs-scandal-cover-up-sadiq-khan-blasted-maggie-oliver?utm_source=openai)) This suggests that while the quotes are recent, they may have been used in multiple reports, potentially indicating reused content.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The narrative originates from the Daily Express, a UK tabloid newspaper. While it is a well-known publication, tabloid newspapers are often considered less reliable due to sensationalist reporting. The inclusion of statements from Reform UK, a political party, and individual activists may also introduce bias. The reliance on a single source for the majority of the information raises concerns about the reliability of the narrative.
Plausability check
Score:
7
Notes:
The narrative discusses serious allegations against Mayor Sadiq Khan regarding grooming gangs in London. Similar claims have been reported by other outlets, such as GB News on October 20, 2025. ([gbnews.com](https://www.gbnews.com/news/grooming-gangs-scandal-cover-up-sadiq-khan-blasted-maggie-oliver?utm_source=openai)) However, the lack of direct evidence presented in the narrative and the reliance on statements from political figures and activists without independent verification raises questions about the plausibility of the claims.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The narrative presents serious allegations against Mayor Sadiq Khan regarding grooming gangs in London, referencing recent reports and statements from political figures and activists. However, the reliance on a single, potentially biased source, the reuse of quotes, and the lack of direct evidence raise significant concerns about the credibility and reliability of the information presented. Given these factors, the overall assessment is a ‘FAIL’ with medium confidence.
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