Council boss called before Parliamentary committee

Chief Executive of RMBC Jim Taylor

Jim Taylor, chief executive of Rochdale Borough Council, which was criticised for failing to save girls from a child sex ring, is to be called before a Parliamentary committee.

A report by Rochdale's safeguarding children board blamed "deficiencies" among front-line staff.

Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee, said he wanted Mr Taylor to answer questions.

He said: "As part of its ongoing inquiry into grooming, the committee will be recalling the chief executive of Rochdale Council to explain why social services missed opportunities to stop the exploitation of vulnerable girls, what is being done to ensure agencies are now working together to keep them safe and how individuals responsible for the failings will be held to account."

In May, nine men who ran a child sexual exploitation ring in Rochdale were jailed at Liverpool Crown Court after being found guilty of offences including rape and conspiracy to engage in sexual activity with girls under the age of 16.

The court heard the group plied five victims with drink and drugs and "passed them around" for sex.

The report - ordered by Rochdale's safeguarding children's board - reviews the work of local agencies, including the council, police and the Crown Prosecution Service between 2007 and 2012 in safeguarding children at risk of sexual exploitation.

Using feedback from 23 support staff, it charted the experience of one victim from 2007 to 2010.

It revealed the girl spoke to support workers on several occasions about being abused.

However, the report suggests some child protection services failed to act and the abuse continued.

Mr Taylor said he "deeply regretted" the council's failing to work with other agencies in safeguarding children.

He said: "This review highlights that all agencies did not work together adequately and it is very clear that, in the past, council services missed opportunities to offer assistance."

He said he has started an internal independent review which will be published next month.