The Local Government Association (LGA) should be given a role investigating and disciplining former staff of Rotherham in the wake of Professor Jay's child sexual exploitation inquiry, a senior MPs has urged.

Clive Betts, chair of the Commons communities and local government Committee has written to communities secretary, Eric Pickles, in the wake of the Government’s appointment last week of troubled families head, Louise Casey, to lead an independent investigation into events at Rotherham and his own panel’s interrogation of the authority’s chief executive, Martin Kimber, and strategic director of children’s services, Joyce Thacker.

Mr Betts asked the communities secretary to clarify the scope of Ms Casey’s inquiry in relation to whether the council has taken appropriate measures against staff guilty of gross misconduct.