Jess Phillips has ‘full backing’ of PM over grooming gangs inquiry, says minister

Children's minister, Josh MacAlister, insists Phillips will remain safeguarding minister as four abuse survivors call for her resignation

A minister has said the government has full confidence" in Jess Phillips after four abuse survivors called for her resignation as a condition for their participation in the national grooming gangs inquiry.

The crisis engulfing the inquiry deepened on Wednesday as the four survivors accused Phillips of betrayal" and said she was unfit to oversee a process that requires survivors to trust the government".