MP Rupert Lowe defends grooming gang inquiry amid political attacks

Member of Parliament Rupert Lowe is pushing back against political opponents who he says are attempting to "demonise" him following the release of his independent inquiry into grooming gangs.

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efforts to discredit him will not derail attempts to hold offenders and those who enabled them accountable.

Lowe, the MP for Great Yarmouth, defended his investigation, stating that attempts to discredit him will not derail efforts to hold offenders and those who enabled them accountable. He announced that the inquiry would now move into a private prosecution phase, aiming to bring alleged perpetrators and their enablers before the courts.

Responding to criticism from figures like Zack Polanski and former Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf, Lowe accused them of trying to undermine his work. He argued that discussion of the issue has been suppressed for years, suggesting that fears of being labeled racist contributed to failures in properly addressing the abuse of vulnerable girls in some communities.

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opponents of trying to "demonise" him

In a statement posted on X, Lowe asserted a connection between religion and some of the offenses examined, specifically identifying Islam. "There is a clear link between religion and these abhorrent crimes that have stained our nation for so very long. That religion is Islam, and other politicians must finally find the courage to say so," he declared.

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There is a clear link between religion and these abhorrent crimes that have stained our nation for so very long. That religion is Islam, and other politicians must finally find the courage to say so.

Lowe also claimed that for decades, the abuse of vulnerable white girls by gangs involving Pakistani Muslim men had been covered up due to authorities' and politicians' reluctance to discuss the ethnic and religious backgrounds of some offenders. He insisted that threats and intimidation would not deter those involved in the inquiry, stating, "Our aim is to put rapists and their enablers in prison. That is now our objective."

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Our aim is to put rapists and their enablers in prison. That is now our objective.