MP with "credible claim" of harassment against him wants to set up his own public inquiry into "Rape Gangs"

[IwantToRetire]

So this is the MP - is he still Reform or has he been expelled?
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cdel8xydx80o

Quote:

Structure of the Inquiry:

• A qualified panel will be appointed to oversee the inquiry.
• A legal advisory team will support the panel throughout the inquiry.

The inquiry will take place in three defined stages: Stage 1 – Launch & Evidence Collection

• Official launch of the inquiry with a call for written evidence.
• A secure submission process will be set up with a clear deadline for all submissions.

Stage 2 – Public Hearings

• A multiple day live-streamed hearing period.
• Hearings will be closed to the public (for safety and control) but broadcast online to ensure transparency.
• Panel-led questioning of witnesses; in cases of non-attendance, questions will still be put on record.
• Witness protection and safeguarding will be prioritised.

Stage 3 – Report & Publication

• A closed period for the panel to compile findings and draft the report.
• Pre-set publication date for the final report.
• Follow-up Q&A session led by Rupert and the panel to publicly respond to the findings.

Core Inquiry Questions To maintain focus and deliver actionable conclusions, the inquiry will centre around three key questions:

• What happened?
• How did it happen?
• Why was it allowed to happen?

Witnesses/participants
Victims and Survivors

• Individuals affected by grooming gangs who are willing to share their experiences.
• Survivors will be given the option to testify anonymously or via written/video statement to ensure their safety and comfort.

Whistleblowers and Frontline Professionals

• Police officers, social workers, and council employees who raised concerns or witnessed systemic failings.
• Former professionals who left their positions in protest or disillusionment.

There's quite a lot more detail, and if you search for Rape Gang Inquiry and name of the MP you should probably find it.

I couldn't find any info about what status the inquiry would have, and even if it functions well what the objective is.

And more importantly, if it is effectively just a private project, how safe and supported would vulnerable witnesses be?

Is it just agit prop rable rousing, or could it lead to ... what?

I think you're confusing public inquiries with criminal prosecution - two different legal processes.

But yes the inquiries have gone into massive detail of how to try to prevent these things happening again. Criminal prosecution is not something a public inquiry can do (read the Inquiries Act 2005) but recommendations including transparency, whistleblowing protection etc are all within remit and have been covered.
In fairness given that you weren't aware that any of these inquiries existed it's not surprising you haven't looked at their reports and recommendations but that might be a good starting point rather than demanding another one or trying to suggest they should do things they don't have the power to do eg prosecute.

More and more inquiries is not the answer. They aware long and expensive and can be v retraumatising to victims. Especially if they fall apart without making any progress eg the example OP cited. What we need is to try to implement the recommendations of previous inquiries and work on strengthening children's services to protect all children from all forms of sexual violence (including but not limited to organised grooming)

What we need is to try to implement the recommendations of previous inquiries and work on strengthening children's services to protect all children from all forms of sexual violence (including but not limited to organised grooming)

If you added together all the money spent on inquiries, the years they have taken, you cant help but think the money would be better used to set up an enforcement organisation.

No amount of fine words on bits of paper or computer screens are worth anything if nobody is going to implement anything.

If Louise Casey have any intergrity she should have refused to Chair the last inquiries she chaired and said I am not going to do another one (now I am safely elevated to the House of Lords) unless and until Government implements the recommendations of the X number of inquiries I have chaired.