The man thought to be the only remaining candidate to chair the national grooming gangs inquiry has withdrawn from consideration for the role.
Former police officer Jim Gamble withdrew his name from consideration, saying he did not feel he had a "consensus of trust" among the survivors’ group on account of his previous profession.
Gamble pointed to a "toxic environment" surrounding the chair’s selection, and "political opportunism and point-scoring," calling it out as regrettable given the severity of the inquiry’s purpose.
He follows Annie Hudson, a former director of children’s services for Lambeth who was reported to have withdrawn on Tuesday.
The government is now left looking for alternative candidates, as opposition parties call for the position to be filled by a judge.
Responding to the news, a Home Office spokesperson said: “We are disappointed that candidates to chair that inquiry have withdrawn.
"This is an extremely sensitive topic, and we have to take the time to appoint the best person suitable for the role.”
Jim Gamble was a former police officer in Northern Ireland, going on to lead the RUC special branch in Belfast. In 2006, he led the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre, tackling online child abuse networks.
Gamble said his decision was due to his own belief that the individual taking on the role should command the confidence of all survivors.
"While I was told that the majority of those I spoke with supported my position, it is clear that a lack of confidence due to my previous occupation exists among some," he said.
"I made a commitment that if this consensus of trust was not present, I would not proceed, and I must now be true to my word."
In a letter published to his social media Gamble went on to say the "highly charged and toxic environment" surrounding the inquiry had "influenced the appointment process" and impacted those close to him.
His letter continued: "Regrettably, the reaction to the appointment process has been defined more by the vested interests of some, as well as political opportunism and point-scoring, rather than by the cross-party consensus required to address such a serious national issue.
"Victims and survivors, who have been let down so often in the past, deserve better than to be used as leverage for short-term gain by anyone.
"Moving forward, I hope they remain at the absolute centre of this inquiry."
