Hearings Begin for Rupert Lowe’s “Rape Gang Inquiry” in London as Public Petition Gains Momentum

Hearings for the “Rape Gang Inquiry” launched by Great Yarmouth independent MP Rupert Lowe officially began in London on Monday, following a public fundraising campaign that raised more than £600,000.

The inquiry, which is expected to run for two weeks, will focus on gathering evidence, hearing testimony, and scrutinising the activities of grooming gangs across the country. A central theme of the hearings is what Mr Lowe has described as the repeated failures of public authorities to act on warnings over many years.

Speaking at the opening session, Mr Lowe stressed that the inquiry was intended to produce concrete outcomes rather than symbolic gestures.

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

Mr Lowe emphasised that the ultimate aim is to secure justice for victims and their families, including the potential 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,” he added.

Alongside the hearings, Mr Lowe has publicly urged supporters to sign and share a parliamentary petition calling for all court and tribunal transcripts to be made available free of charge. He argues that full public access to court records is essential to uncover the full scale of grooming gang crimes and to ensure transparency and accountability within the justice system.

The petition, which is gaining traction online, is being promoted as a practical step the public can take to support victims and assist ongoing scrutiny of past failures.

Fundraising for Mr Lowe’s inquiry began before Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced plans for a separate government-led national inquiry into grooming gangs. That inquiry, chaired by Baroness Anne Longfield, former Children’s Commissioner for England, is expected to run for three years with a budget of £65 million.

Mr Lowe’s inquiry operates independently of the government process and is intended to move at a faster pace, with a narrower focus on accountability and legal consequences.