MLA requests meeting with senior police after historic abuse claims

SOUTH Antrim DUP MLA Trevor Clarke is requesting an urgent meeting with senior representatives of the PSNI to establish whether there is any evidence of ongoing grooming gang activity in the borough.

He spoke out after learning that the Private Rape Gang Inquiry’s had identified historic activity within the Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council area.

Independent MP Rupert Lowe, formerly a Reform UK rep, set up his own probe before Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced there would be a new Government-backed inquiry in June.

In August, his private investigation into grooming gangs claimed to have found child sexual exploitation in 85 local authorities in the UK, including in Antrim and Newtownabbey.

Mr Clarke said: “This is a deeply serious matter. I immediately contacted Rupert Lowe MP and the Rape Gang Inquiry team to seek clarification and ensure the full facts were understood.

“I have since received the following response from the Rape Gang Inquiry: “Our first duty is to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all survivors and whistleblowers who have been brave enough to come forward.

“Having spoken with those in your area, we are unable at this time to provide any more detail.

“However, we can confirm that the cases which have been brought to our attention in your local authority area are historic and we do not have evidence of any ongoing cases.

“Of course, this does not mean that Rape Gangs are not currently operating within your area – our research has shown how widespread this issue has been – but simply that we have not been approached by those who may have information.

“The next stage of the Rape Gang Inquiry will begin in the coming months, where testimonies will be livestreamed.

“As we continue to work to support all survivors, there is a chance that they may decide to use the live hearings to tell their own stories, and in which case, we will contact you closer to the date with relevant details.”

Mr Clarke continued: “This is horrific and deeply shocking.

“While the Private Inquiry has confirmed the cases are historic, the possibility that grooming gangs may have operated in Northern Ireland demands an immediate and transparent response from authorities.

“I will therefore be requesting an urgent meeting with senior representatives of the PSNI to establish whether there is any evidence of ongoing grooming gang activity in Northern Ireland.

“I will further be writing to the Justice Minister to request the Justice Department's assessment on Grooming Gang activity in Northern Ireland, whether historic and/or active.

“If the Private Rape Gang Inquiry is correct, and grooming gangs operated here in Antrim and Newtownabbey, there must be access to justice for victims, and those who perpetrated these heinous crimes must be pursued relentlessly by the justice system.”