Grooming victim 'abused by serving police officer'

The prime minister has said he is "deeply concerned" by allegations that a grooming victim was abused by a serving South Yorkshire Police officer.

Reform UK MP Suella Braverman raised the case of the woman, known as Elizabeth as she has lifetime anonymity, during Prime Minister's Questions earlier.

She said Elizabeth was aged 14 when she was raped in Rotherham and later "allegedly abused" by police officers in the force, one of whom remains on "active service today".

Keir Starmer said he would "make sure" there was a relevant meeting and follow-up to concerns. South Yorkshire Police said the matters were the subject of an inquiry by the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IPOC).

Elizabeth was raped twice at a flat, having been given alcohol and drugs before the assault.

Asghar Bostan was convicted of the rape in 2018 and jailed for nine years before being granted parole in August 2022.

He was recalled to prison for breaking his licence conditions in January 2024.

Raising the case during PMQs, the ex-Conservative home secretary said she had recently met with Elizabeth and described her as "one of the bravest women I know".

She said: "She is one of the survivors of the rape gangs, one of the biggest national scandals in our history.

"Whilst her first rapist was convicted and sentenced - Asghar Bostan - she was subsequently, shockingly, allegedly abused by police officers serving in South Yorkshire Police.

"One of those officers remains on active service today."

Braverman said Elizabeth had raised a complaint through Operation Linden - a long-running IOPC investigation into how police responded to child sexual abuse in Rotherham - but "none of them were followed up".

The MP said Elizabeth felt betrayed by "the very institution designed to protect us", and called for the prime minister to meet with the alleged victim and ensure that anyone who covers up the offences is jailed.

Responding, Starmer said: "I'm deeply concerned about the facts she's just outlined, and if she could give us all the details of that, I'll make sure that there is a relevant meeting and follow-up in relation to those concerns."

An IPOC spokesperson said: "We have searched our records and are not aware of reports of any identified officers sexually abusing children being raised by the victim-survivors we had contact with during Operation Linden."

The spokesperson said it "continued to direct an investigation into reports, first referred to us in October 2024, relating to non-recent child sex abuse complaints against three former South Yorkshire Police officers".

They added: "No reports of this nature have been received to date about any serving South Yorkshire Police officers."

A spokesperson for South Yorkshire Police said: "We are acutely aware of how difficult it can be to report such crimes, particularly when the suspects are serving or former police officers, but we are steadfastly committed to securing justice.

"These matters are subject of an independent inquiry by the IOPC so we are not able to comment further but we want to reassure all of those affected that we will fully cooperate with all inquiries."

Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.