We recognise the importance of the wider story of grooming gangs and have frequently covered the issue including a number of exclusive stories. The government is holding a national statutory inquiry into grooming gangs – we have reported on the setting up of that inquiry and will cover its proceedings extensively. Recent coverage has included:

Grooming survivors left with criminal records still being failed, BBC told 

And also First locations for grooming gang inquiry announced, in which we report that it’s our understanding that the findings of a BBC News report into child sex abuse gangs in London have contributed to the capital’s inclusion in the inquiry.

The government’s inquiry has the legal power to call witnesses and to require organisations to produce documents and records, meaning it is a more wide-ranging inquiry than Mr Lowe’s. We know that not everyone will agree with our decisions on what to cover. These complex choices are made for editorial and practical reasons, and should not be taken as indicative of bias.