LABOUR MPs will be put under pressure as Tories force a vote on holding a national grooming gangs inquiry. 

The Conservatives are tabling an amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill which calls for a statutory inquiry into the scandal later this month.

They say Labour’s plan for five local inquiries is inadequate because the scale of abuse was much wider. 

And they do not have the power to summon witnesses and requisition evidence. 

It will put Labour MPs in a tricky position as some have gone against the party to call for a national inquiry. 

And it could trigger a Red Wall rebellion. 

Shadow Home Secretary Chris Philp said: “We now know that these disgusting crimes were deliberately covered up by the police and local authorities simply because the majority of the perpetrators were of Pakistani heritage.

“The young girls – some as young as 12 – had their lives ruined. 

“The cover-up has to end and those who hid these crimes held to account. 

“It is disgraceful that not a single person has been punished for the cover-up. 

“Every decent Labour MP who cares about this should vote for our amendment in Parliament.”