A corrupt police officer was on the payroll of men who targeted and sexually abused children in Rotherham, a charity worker has claimed.

The rogue officer is said to have passed information to grooming networks, undermining efforts to protect girls and target offenders.

An independent inquiry has estimated that 1,400 children in the South Yorkshire town were subjected to abuse over 16 years from 1997. Victims were often blamed for the crimes committed against them, while “no action was taken on the perpetrators”.

The corruption allegation, against an unnamed police officer, was made in evidence to MPs by a charity