They were victims of anti-racism: that’s the really shocking thing. At least — at least — 1,400 girls were systematically abused over several years in the grim post-industrial town of Rotherham. “Abuse” is a flexible term, but we’re talking here about the most nauseating forms of exploitation: gang rapes, people trafficking, threats against victims’ families to ensure their compliance.

Last week, the council was declared dysfunctional and, in effect, taken over by central government. But how could such things have happened?