Janner’s ‘ 30 years of child sex abuse’
LORD Janner allegedly sexually abused children over a period of more than 30 years dating back to the 1950s, a public hearing was told yesterday.
The former Labour MP, who died aged 87 in December, arranged for children “in whom he had a sexual interest” to be brought to the Houses of Parliament, it was claimed.
The allegations are being examined as part of a wide- ranging independent inquiry into child sexual abuse.
Speaking at the first preliminary hearing, counsel to the inquiry Ben Emmerson QC said: “The allegations in summary are that Greville Janner exploited children and perpetrated a full range of sexual offences against them, including what would now be termed in English law as rape.
“In relation to a number of the complainants it is alleged that Janner abused his position as an MP by arranging for children in whom he had a sexual interest to be brought to the Houses of Parliament.” The alleged offences were said to have taken place at children’s homes and hotels.
The period during which it is alleged Lord Janner committed the offences is 1955 to 1988, the inquiry heard.
Alison Saunders, director of public prosecutions, originally decided that the peer, who denied the allegations, should not be charged because he was suffering from dementia. However, this was overturned by an independent review. Although Lord Janner was unfit to stand trial, a proceeding called a trial of the facts was due to take place at the Old Bailey but was halted when he died.
Mr Emmerson said that, of more than 30 alleged victims who made contact with police, 12 had been selected to give evidence at trial. Seventeen complainants have been given core participant status at the inquiry.
He said the inquiry has so far not received an application for core participant status from Lord Janner’s family. They have previously said he is “entirely innocent of any wrongdoing”.
The inquiry will also consider whether there were institutional failures to protect children, with bodies including the police and the Labour party set to come under scrutiny.
The first full hearings in the Lord Janner inquiry, one of 13 separate investigations set to last for five years, are expected to be held in September.