PRIME minister and Witney MP David Cameron has described the Oxford sex exploitation case as "absolutely appalling" and said “searching questions” would now be asked.

Seven men were convicted at Old Bailey of crimes including arranging child prostitution and child rape on Tuesday.

Their victims were aged between 11 and 15.

Speaking in the US, Mr Cameron said: “There's no doubt that first of all it's good that those who did wrong have been tried and found guilty and are going to be properly punished.

"That is step one. But step two is obviously going to be the authorities - the police, social services, county council - everyone's going to have to ask some very searching questions about how this was allowed to continue for so long, and I know they are already doing that.”