Council put reputation first, victims second

Branding the council “not fit for purpose”, Ms Casey said the council

She said the authority had a culture of “suppressing bad news” and went “to some length to cover up information and silence whistle-blowers.”

The 157-page report Ms Casey, director of the Government’s Troubled Families programme, published on Wednesday put the responsibility for the abuse which took place in Rotherham with “the vile perpetrators” but exposed a management structure obsessed by pursuing awards rather than improving services.

Ms Casey said that when she arrived in Rotherham, Ms Casey said, the council “denied that there had been a problem, or if there had been, that it was as big as was said”.

She added: “If there was a problem they certainly were not told — it was someone else’s job. They were no worse than anyone else. They had won awards. The media were out to get them.”

Condemning borough councillors, Ms Casey concluded: “Some members have not set and modelled the high standards expected of those in public life.

“Historic concerns around conduct have not been effectively tackled.

“RMBC has a culture of suppressing bad news and ignoring difficult issues.

“This culture is deep-rooted. The council goes to some length to cover up information and to silence whistle-blowers.

“RMBC needs a fresh start.”