Oh my God. Downing Street just can't help stepping in it, can they? Today they've managed to infuriate pretty much everyone by suggesting the horrific grooming gangs scandal has been "weaponised" for political gain. Because apparently, discussing one of the most catastrophic safeguarding failures in modern British history is just people playing politics.

I've been covering Westminster for 7 years now, and this ranks among teh most tone-deaf responses I've witnessed.

When "disappointing" becomes the understatement of the century

A spokesperson for our illustrious PM Sir Keir Starmer declared it was "obviously disappointing" to see "political point scoring" on such a devastating issue. Disappointing? DISAPPOINTING? We're talking about thousands of children who were systematically abused while authorities looked the other way. But sure, let's focus on how "disappointed" No. 10 feels about the conversation.

The real kicker? When repeatedly pressed on WHO exactly was guilty of this supposed "weaponising," Downing Street suddenly developed amnesia. Funny that.

Lucy Powell's spectacular own goal

This whole mess follows Cabinet Minister Lucy Powell's jaw-dropping comments dismissing discussions about grooming gangs as "dog whistle" politics. She likened it to "blowing a little trumpet" which... I mean... what?

My editor texted me when that story broke: "Is she TRYING to get sacked?" Apparently not, since Downing Street confirmed today that Sir Keir maintains "full confidence" in Powell. Because nothing says accountability like doubling down on remarks that have victims' groups calling for your resignation.

The response that wasn't

When journalists (myself included) pushed harder on whether the PM shared Powell's view about "weaponisation," his spokesperson offered this gem: "It's obviously disappointing for people to engage in this kind of behaviour. But the Prime Minister remains focused on taking the necessary action to deliver justice for victims, rather than becoming embroiled in political point scoring."

Translation: Yes, we think it's being weaponised, but we don't want to say by whom because that would be politically inconvenient.

Listen. I spent £300 on train tickets last year traveling to speak with survivors in Rotherham. These aren't political pawns – they're real people who've been catastrophically failed.

The campaigners aren't having it

Dr Lawrence Newport, who's been fighting tirelessly for a national inquiry into grooming gangs, didn't mince words when I called him for comment. He tore into the government's position, saying: "The government's attitude that this is political point scoring is just ignoring that people are severely disappointed that the government has done NOTHING to help victims. There has been a cover-up. This does nothing more than help those that covered it up for decades."

He's right.

Even Starmer's own team can't defend this nonsense

What's telling is that not everyone in Starmer's circle is willing to die on this particular hill. Health Secretary Wes Streeting broke ranks this morning, calling Powell's remarks "indefensible." At least someone in Cabinet recognizes a PR disaster when they see one.

Back in 2019, I interviewed a survivor who told me, "They care more about not offending people than they do about children being raped." Five years later, and I'm struggling to see what's changed.

The victims deserve better than this pathetic political dance. They deserve actual answers, actual accountability, adn actual action – not hand-wringing about how "disappointed" Downing Street feels about the conversation.

...And they wonder why public trust in politicians is at an all-time low.