Sex grooming: Two more former council officers to appear before Select Committee

Cheryl Eastwood, former Executive Director, Children's Services, and Steve Garner, former Service Director of Targeted Services [Head of Children’s Social Care], of Rochdale Borough Council will be questioned tomorrow (Tuesday 20 November) by the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee.

Both resigned their positions earlier this year following the sex grooming trial that has led to severe critcism of Rochdal Council Children's Services for not protecting the vulnerable girls.

Mr Garner had been invited to appear before the committee on 6 November but cited illness as he declined an invitation to explain the council’s failure to protect vulnerable girls who were trafficked and used for sex over several years by an organised ring of taxi drivers.

In May, Ms Eastwood expressed regret but said procedures had now been changed. 

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/69494/child-sex-trial-rochdale-borough-council-regret

Also appearing before the committee tomorrow will be Detective Superintendent Ian Critchley, Head of ACPO Child Sexual exploitation task force, and Detective Chief Superintendent Mary Doyle of Greater Manchester Police.