OXFORDSHIRE’s Tory MPs have shied away from backing Andrew Smith’s demand for an independent public inquiry into the Bullfinch child abuse scandal.

Oxford East’s Labour MP called for an inquiry in Parliament saying the Serious Case Review did not go far enough to hold individuals to account.

He was backed by the mother of one of the victims and Thames Valley Police and Crime Commissioner Anthony Stansfeld.

But Oxford West and Abingdon MP Nicola Blackwood refused to say if she agreed with him.

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Instead she called for the Oxfordshire Safeguarding Children Board, which is carrying on its investigation alongside the Government, to do more.

She said: “I am writing to the Education Secretary calling for her to expand the remit of Sophie Humphreys’ independent inspection of local agencies so that it can address the questions which remain unanswered by the review.”

She added: “Apologies are not enough, it is time for action and accountability.”

Banbury MP Sir Tony Baldry said: “I listened with care to what Mr Smith had to say. But it wasn’t clear to me that a further enquiry would tell us all any more than we know already.”

Henley MP John Howell added: “Both the county council and the police have put into place serious lessons from the case and I am not sure what else a public inquiry would do.”

Prime Minister and Witney MP David Cameron and Wantage MP Ed Vaizey refused to comment.