How did the grooming gangs inquiry get so toxic?

How did the grooming gangs inquiry get so toxic?

Author: Sky News October 24, 2025 Duration: 49:59

Sir Keir Starmer has backed safeguarding minister Jess Phillips, as a fifth abuse survivor calls on her to quit to restore trust in the grooming gangs inquiry.  

Beth, Ruth and Harriet explain why the national inquiry into the sexual exploitation of children by grooming gangs in England and Wales has become so poisonous and why the victims are so unhappy. 

Plus, as the government faces growing calls to formally strip Prince Andrew of his dukedom – what's the relationship between politics and royalty?

And as membership for the Green Party surges, what's the appeal of the leader Zack Polanski? 

Remember, you can also watch Beth Rigby, Harriet Harman and Ruth Davidson on YouTube. 


Three formidable figures from the heart of British politics-Beth Rigby, Ruth Davidson, and Harriet Harman-sit down together each week for a conversation that cuts through the noise. This isn't a staged debate, but a frank, often surprising look behind the curtain of power. In Electoral Dysfunction, brought to you by Sky News, they apply their combined decades of frontline experience to dissect the real motives, the unspoken strategies, and the personal ambitions driving the headlines. You’ll hear them parse the language of politicians, questioning not just what is said but the meaning lurking between the lines. The core of this podcast is its unique dynamic: a blend of insider insight from across the political spectrum that identifies who is gaining ground and who, truly, is struggling with their own electoral dysfunction. It’s a masterclass in understanding the mechanics of politics, from policy to personality. Each episode feels like you’re eavesdropping on a private, knowledgeable discussion that makes sense of the week’s events in Westminster and across the country, offering clarity where there is often only confusion. For anyone trying to navigate the complexities of modern political life, this series provides an essential and deeply informed perspective.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Electoral Dysfunction
Podcast Episodes
Is it already over for Kemi Badenoch? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:10
This week, Ruth's changed her opinion about Kemi Badenoch – but it isn't any more favourable for the new Tory leader. Ruth had thought she'd get two years in the job – now she's thinking it might be less than 18 months.…
Can Love Island help Rachel Reeves? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:11
You can now watch Beth, Ruth and Harriet on YouTube! Just search for "Electoral Dysfunction".The chancellor was trying to channel Love Island when she announced her plans for growth this week.But are her new ideas actual…
Southport murders – was there a ‘cover-up’? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 33:59
As Axel Rudakubana is sentenced for the murder of three young girls and the attempted murder of 10 more people last year, Electoral Dysfunction reflects on how the prime minister has handled claims that authorities cover…
Welcome to Trump World: How everything is changing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:22
After "going dark" for most of the week, Beth pops up in Poland to talk world politics with Ruth and Harriet. Top security, a slow train and Russian drones are all part of the inside story of the prime minister's visit t…
Introducing...Trump 100 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 0:46
We just want to let you know about a new Sky News podcast which is launching next week!Trump 100 will follow the daily twists and turns of Donald Trump's first 100 days in The White House with the latest updates and anal…
The grooming gang scandal: The politicians in Elon Musk's crosshairs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
Beth, Harriet, and Ruth dive into the storm surrounding Elon Musk's incendiary comments about UK grooming gangs, Sir Keir Starmer, and safeguarding minister Jess Phillips. They unpack the political fallout, whether Labou…
Jess Phillips: The inside story [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 36:08
In this extra episode of Electoral Dysfunction, Jess Phillips sits down with Beth and reveals what she has lived through in the past few weeks. Elon Musk accused the Labour MP of being a "rape genocide apologist", puttin…
Behind the scenes of the Tory government’s fall from power - Part 2 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:38
Former Conservative cabinet ministers Penny Mordaunt and Gillian Keegan join Beth, Ruth and Harriet in the studio to take us behind the scenes of the final days of the last government. For their final podcasts of 2024, B…
Behind the scenes of the Tory government’s fall from power - Part 1 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 35:34
Former Conservative cabinet ministers Penny Mordaunt and Gillian Keegan join Beth, Ruth and Harriet in the studio to take us behind the scenes of the final days of the last government. For their final podcasts of 2024, B…