A CHILD sexual abuse victim has slammed “despicable” Tory calls for a national inquiry into why “rape gangs” appear “overwhemingly of a South Asian background.”

Historian Louise Raw today told the Morning Star that like her, fellow survivors have been left “deeply hurt by the exploitation of their pain for political ends.”

“It brings back what they went through and reminds them that the Establishment which let them down is, however, very willing to exploit their suffering,” she said.

“It will not talk to them, treat them as individuals, show them support or help the healing process but will kick them around as a political football.

“Survivors have said to me today that this is another kind of abuse and exploitation.

“It has brought back memories of the abuse for me… it has made me feel like a helpless child again in a way — no-one is really bothered about my pain but people will use it.”

Shadow home secretary Chris Philp on Thursday called for a national inquiry into Britain’s “rape gangs scandal” that examines why perpetrators in “grooming gangs and rape gangs” appeared to be “overwhelmingly of South Asian background.”

Safeguarding minister Jess Phillips had rejected Oldham Council’s request for a government-led inquiry into historical child sexual exploitation, saying the council should lead it instead.

The billionaire ally of Donald Trump Elon Musk has this week been calling for the release of jailed far-right fascist Tommy Robinson after picking up on Ms Phillips’s decision.

He has posted several times about rape gangs in Rochdale and Oldham, attacking Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Ms Phillips over their responses to the scandal on his X social media platform.

The systematic rape of children by organised gangs, including in Rotherham, Cornwall, Derbyshire, Rochdale and Bristol, has been subject to numerous investigations.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse published a final report knitting several of these inquiries together alongside its own investigations in 2022. Inquiry leader Alexis Jay has expressed frustration that all 20 of its recommendations are yet to be implemented.

Dr Raw added: “It is despicable, if unsurprising, that far right billionaire agitator Elon Musk has chosen to weaponise the old and debunked ‘Muslim/South Asian grooming gang’ trope as part of his latest feud with Starmer, the left, and anyone who he feels stands in the way of his own vastly unmerited power and status.

“It is even more despicable that the Tories are willing to jump aboard Musk’s bandwagon when they know it’s running on lies.

“There is no question child sexual abuse (CSA) victims of all heritages have been let down by authorities, as I was myself as a child, including in Oldham, Telford and Rotherham.

“Racial sensitivities should never be allowed to stand in the way of justice.

“But allowing dishonest and dangerous men to weaponise children’s pain and suffering for their own selfish ends only makes matters worse for victims.”

Stand up to Racism co-convener Sabby Dhalu said Mr Philp’s comments are “simply a cynical attempt to use the sexual abuse and exploitation of women and children to stir up racism and compete with Reform UK. 

“There needs to be a serious commitment to eradicating these despicable crimes, not racialising them, which only serves as a distraction.

“We support Alexis Jay who led the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse who has expressed frustration that none of its 20 recommendations to tackle abuse had been implemented more than two years later. 

“As Jay said, it doesn't need more consultation, it does not need more research or discussion, it just needs to be done.” 

A Labour spokesperson said the government is “working at pace” to implement IICSA’s recommendations.