Sir Keir Starmer has been accused of “sabotaging” the national rape gangs inquiry after two victims quit the probe’s panel.

Fiona Goddard and Ellie Reynolds, who were groomed by gangs, announced yesterday that they were resigning as advisers amid concerns Sir Keir’s Government was not listening to victims.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch Kemi Badenoch went further, putting pressure on the prime Minister to scrap the current probe and start over.

“Many will now suspect Labour is sabotaging the grooming gangs inquiry and deliberately dragging it out beyond the next election,” the Leader of the Opposition said.

“It has now been over four months since Keir Starmer was dragged into launching a national inquiry, yet nothing has happened. We need a judge-led inquiry with full statutory powers.”

The fury came after Safeguarding Minister Jess Phillips told the House of Commons last month that the Government “would not lose any more time in pursuing truth and justice for victims and survivors”.

However, no timetable has yet been set, with no chairman being appointed.

Downing Street yesterday refused to commit to a timetable for the grooming gangs inquiry and warned against “speculation” while the process was ongoing.

The Prime Minister’s spokesman instead insisted that the Government’s priority was to “get it right”.

He added: “Previous inquiries took a long time to set up… We’re not going to offer a timeline on it here.”

A Home Office spokesman also said: “The abuse of children by grooming gangs is one of the most horrific crimes imaginable.

“Any suggestion that this inquiry is being watered down is completely wrong – we are committed to delivering a robust, thorough inquiry that will get to the truth and provide the answers that survivors have so long campaigned for.

“We are working urgently to appoint the best chair to take forward this work and deliver justice, putting victims and survivors at the heart of the process.

“We are grateful to all those who have shared their insights with us. We share the concerns around unhelpful speculation while this process is live – which is why we will not be providing a running commentary.”

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Keir Starmer to jet off to Brazil for COP climate summit in 40th overseas trip as PM

Sir Keir Starmer will be jetting off to Brazil for the Cop30 climate summit next month in his 40th foreign trip as PM, No10 has confirmed.

The PM is set for a transatlantic trip to port city Belem in November to hobnob with world leaders on climate change and net zero.

Last night, his official spokesman said Sir Keir would travel in a bid to restore the UK as “a global leader for climate action and green growth”.

Net zero, the spokesman said, is “the economic opportunity of the 21st century”, could “reignite our industrial heartlands” and “create good jobs for the future”.

Elsewhere, he will also travel thousands of miles to South Africa in November – this time for a G20 summit.