Yarmouth MP Rupert Lowe’s ‘rape gang inquiry’ hearings start

Great Yarmouth independent MP Rupert Lowe raised more than £600,000 to launch the ‘Rape Gang Inquiry’, which began its hearings in London on Monday.

Mr Lowe said the inquiry will last for two weeks, with evidence-gathering, testimony and scrutiny focused on grooming gangs across the county and what he described as “the repeated failures by public authorities to act on warnings”.

Mr Lowe said: “This inquiry is about action. We have gathered evidence, we will listen carefully over the coming two weeks, and we will then act.

“Our ultimate objective is justice – including the pursuit of private prosecutions where appropriate. Justice for the girls who were abused. Justice for the families who were ignored.

“And justice for a country that was repeatedly misled about what was happening in its towns and cities.”

Mr Lowe’s fundraising for his inquiry started before prime minister Sir Keir Starmer announced a national inquiry into grooming gangs.

Baroness Anne Longfield will lead that inquiry over three years with a budget of £65m.