MP Rupert Lowe has today announced the launch of an independent national inquiry into the UK’s rape gang scandal – pledging to uncover the truth where he says politicians and institutions have failed.
In a direct and impassioned statement published on social media, Mr Lowe confirmed that the inquiry would examine “what happened, how it happened, and why it was allowed to happen” – calling the abuse of young girls across several UK towns and cities a “rotting stain on our country’s history.”
“We shouldn’t have to do this, it should be the Government,” he said. “But as we know, that is not happening. So, that responsibility now lies with us.”
The initiative will be funded via crowdsourcing, with a donations page now live online. Mr Lowe said he would personally contribute, and emphasised that “every penny spent will be transparently published.”
A qualified panel is set to be appointed to oversee the inquiry, alongside a legal advisory team to support the process throughout.
Three-stage process
The inquiry will follow a three-stage structure:
- Evidence Collection
- Public Hearings (to be live-streamed)
- Report and Publication
A secure evidence submission system will be established, with protections in place for victims and whistleblowers. Mr Lowe added that even in cases of non-attendance, questions would be put on record and evidence reviewed.
He also confirmed that any surplus funds raised would be donated to charities supporting victims of sexual abuse and exploitation.
“This inquiry will not be able to fully deliver justice,” he said, “but it can shine a light on the horror, and open people’s eyes to the vast scale of the vile abuse and exploitation.”
Apology for past political failings
In a candid moment, Mr Lowe issued an apology to the public – acknowledging that promises made by his former party, Reform UK, to hold an inquiry had not been kept.
“I tried to push behind the scenes, but evidently I did not go far enough and for that I am sorry,” he said.
“Positive press about a potential inquiry was accepted and used for political gain by Reform and [Nigel] Farage, but no real action was taken. That does not sit right with me, at all.”
He added: “When I make a promise, I keep it. I stated on March 12th I would do this, and I am doing it.”
Call for support
Mr Lowe invited the public to get involved, whether through donations or by putting themselves forward for involvement in the inquiry. He also pledged that witness protection and safeguarding would be a top priority.
He concluded: “We are now ready for step one, and this is just the start of the process.”
Supporters are encouraged to read the guidelines on the donation page to ensure all contributions come from permissible UK donors.
To support or learn more about the inquiry, visit: 🔗 https://crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-rape-gang-inquiry-1
Rupert Lowe MP’s full announcement is as follows:
An announcement. Today, I am launching a national inquiry into the rape gang scandal. It will focus on three questions – what happened, how did it happen and why was it allowed to happen?
A crowdfunder has been set up, please see the link below. I will of course personally donate. A qualified panel will be appointed to oversee the inquiry, with a legal advisory team to support the panel throughout the inquiry.
There will be three stages. Evidence collection, public hearings, report/publication. There will be a secure submission process for evidence, and the hearings will be live-streamed. In non-attendance, questions will still be put on the record and evidence examined. The findings will be compiled, and a report will be published. Any surplus funds raised will be donated to charities supporting victims, and every penny spent will be transparently published.
Extensive discussions have taken place over the last couple of weeks in regards to the participants of the panel and of the inquiry itself – more details will be announced soon, with the option to put yourself forward. Witness protection and safeguarding will be prioritised. Finally, I would like to apologise.
Promises were made by my former party about holding an inquiry, and those promises were not kept. I tried to push behind the scenes, but evidently I did not go far enough and for that I am sorry. I do not believe that making such bold claims which gave so many so much hope, and then failing to deliver is an honest way of conducting politics – particularly on an issue of this magnitude. Positive press about a potential inquiry was accepted and used for political gain by Reform and Farage, but no real action was taken. That does not sit right with me, at all. When I make a promise, I keep it.
I stated on March 12th I would do this, and I am doing it. We are now ready for step one, and this is just the start of the process. If you wish to donate, especially a larger amount, please read the information on the crowdfunder page – permissible donors only (registered to vote in the UK/UK registered company).
The mass rape of working class white girls by mainly Pakistani men is a rotting stain on our country’s history. This inquiry will not be able to fully deliver justice, but it can shine a light on the horror, and open people’s eyes to the vast scale of the vile abuse and exploitation. We shouldn’t have to do this, it should be the Government. But as we know, that is not happening.
So, that responsibility now lies with us. Any support you can give is appreciated. There will be more updates very soon.
Please click here to access the crowdfunder.
