UK Labour minister Lucy Powell faces backlash for calling rape discussions a "political tool," leading to calls for her resignation.

Labour minister Lucy Powell faced backlash after referring to discussions about rape and grooming gangs as a "dog whistle" during a radio discussion, suggesting it was being used as a political tool. Her comments sparked outrage and calls for her resignation from Tory MPs, who criticized her for downplaying the issue. Powell later apologized, clarifying that her remarks were made in the heat of the discussion and that she takes the issue of child exploitation seriously. The controversy has brought renewed calls for a national inquiry into grooming gangs.