A senior bishop has claimed there is "no pattern" in rape gang perperations being from any particular ethnic group.

Despite Pakistani men being five times more likely to commit a child sex grooming offence, the bishop of Manchester, Reverend David Walker, believes there is no link to ethnicity and offence.

According to research by academics from the universities of Reading and Chichester, around one in 73 Muslim men over 16 have been prosecuted for "group-localised child sexual exploitation" in Rotherham.

Walker, who is also a member of the House of Lords, told The Spectator: "It is a natural human tendency to want to think that such horrendous crimes are only carried out by people who are not like us."

The bishop said it's a 'natural human tendency to want to think that such horrendous crimes are only carried out by people who are not like us'

Walker hopes that the forthcoming inquiry will help find ways to "keep young girls safe from the groups of predatory older men, whatever their origin".

He added: "Whilst gangs may dominate the news headlines, child protection experts affirm that the vast majority of child sexual exploitation is committed by the victim's close family members or family friends."

His comments follow Sir Keir Starmer ordering a full-scale national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.

Starmer confirmed that the inquiry will have the powers to compel witnesses to give evidence, with the probe coordinating with other local inquiries already underway.

Walker hopes that the forthcoming inquiry will help find ways to "keep young girls safe from the groups of predatory older men, whatever their origin".

He added: "Whilst gangs may dominate the news headlines, child protection experts affirm that the vast majority of child sexual exploitation is committed by the victim's close family members or family friends."

His comments follow Sir Keir Starmer ordering a full-scale national inquiry into the rape gangs scandal.

Starmer confirmed that the inquiry will have the powers to compel witnesses to give evidence, with the probe coordinating with other local inquiries already underway.

Starmer confirmed there will be a national inquiry into the grooming gangs scandal

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper confirmed Labour will accept all 12 recommendations made in Baroness Casey's rape gang review.

Cooper said: "This will mark the biggest programme of work ever pursued to root out the grooming gangs.

"Those vile perpetrators who have grown used to the authorities looking the other way must have no place to hide."

GB News found that over 50 different towns and cities had been affected by the grooming gangs scandal.