'No evidence sex-abuse claims were ignored': Investigation clears Dudley Council of negligence, says leader

An independent external review has exonerated Dudley Council of ignoring reports of child exploitation, its leader has revealed.

Councillor Patrick Harley said an independent investigation had been carried out, and its findings will be made public later in the year.

But he said it found no evidence that any substantiated allegations of sex abuse were ignored by the authority.

Councillor Harley was responding to calls from the council’s opposition Reform UK group, which had voiced concerns about delays to the publication of the report.

Councillor Harley said a special scrutiny committee meeting was being organised for later in the year to discuss the findings of the investigation.

“A decision will be taken prior to the meeting on what can be appropriately shared with the public, but I can assure residents that the review found no evidence that any substantiated allegations of child sexual exploitation were ignored by Dudley Council,” he said.

“Exploitation of any nature is a serious crime, but Dudley Council and the Dudley safeguarding people partnership is committed to taking every opportunity to prevent and tackle it.”

He added that the partnership, which consisted of the council, police, health and education services, as well as a range of charities, met regularly to discuss any concerns raised with a view to listening to these and acting upon them.

“Elected members and partners will be invited to attend the meeting and we continue in our commitment to safeguarding children, responding proportionately to all concerns, and ensuring that every piece of intelligence is examined thoroughly and transparently,” he said.

An open letter from the Reform group, led by Councillor Marco Longhi, said it had been reported in March that trading standards officers had passed on intelligence of business premises involved in the exploitation of children.

It was alleged that children were being offered inducements, such as vapes and alcoholic drinks, in exchange for sexual activity.

Reform’s letter said: “Serious questions remain about how this information was handled, what action was taken, and why, more than seven months later, elected members are still waiting for the findings of the council’s investigation.

“The council leader publicly referred to an investigation in March and indicated that officers’ work could be concluded within a week or so. He also committed to dedicated scrutiny of the matter. This delay has occurred under his leadership, and we believe he must be held accountable for the council’s response.”

Councillor Longhi also called on the council to publish a chronology of events, detailing when the council first received the intelligence, and how it was escalated, and what action followed.

“Crucially, when was Councillor Patrick Harley first informed, what was he told, and what action did he take? We also require clarity on when any council officers were made aware,” the letter added.