OTTAWA, June 15 -- British Prime Minister Keir Starmer yesterday announced a national inquiry focused into a UK child-sex scandal that attracted the attention of US billionaire Elon Musk.

Starmer had previously resisted calls for an inquiry into the so-called "grooming gangs" in favour of a series of local probes.

But speaking to British reporters travelling with him to Canada, Starmer said his position on the issue had changed and he would accept the recommendation in an independent report into child sexual exploitation.

"I have never said we should not look again at any issue. That's why I asked Louise Casey who I hugely respect to do an audit," he said referring to a member of the upper house of parliament.

"Her position when she s...