Lord Janner is alleged to have exploited children to commit a 'full range' of sexual offences against them dating back to the 1950s, the public inquiry into child abuse has been told.

The late politician was said to have arranged for children 'in whom he had a sexual interest' to be brought to the Houses of Parliament.

He died aged 87 in December, just days after he was found unfit to stand trial over historical child sex claims.

Claims: Lord Janner is alleged to have exploited children to commit a 'full range' of sexual offences against them dating back to the 1950s. He is pictured left welcoming children to the Commons in 1976

Lord Janner, pictured last year before his death, was accused of the 'full range' of child abuse offences, an independent inquiry was told today

But now the allegations involving the former MP are being examined as part of the wide-ranging Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, chaired by Justice Lowell Goddard.

Speaking at the probe's first preliminary hearing on Wednesday, 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 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.'

Lord Janner, pictured in a court sketch from August 2015, died aged 87 in December, just days after he was found unfit to stand trial over historical child sex claims

The late politician (pictured left in 2000, and right in 2002) was said to have arranged for children 'in whom he had a sexual interest' to be brought to the Houses of Parliament

The offending was alleged to have taken place at children's homes and hotels and dated between 1955 and 1988, the hearing was told.

In relation to a number of allegations it was claimed that Lord Janner abused his position as an MP, Mr Emmerson said.

He added that there were 30 alleged victims, 12 of whom were selected to give evidence at trial.

Seventeen complainants have been given core participant status at the inquiry.

CPS AND POLICE REJECTED THREE CHANCES TO PROSECUTE JANNER Allegations against the late Lord Janner were reported to the Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse after years of missed opportunities to prosecute him. When the allegations became public following a December 2013 investigation, Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders originally decided that the peer should not be charged because he was suffering from dementia. This was overturned by an independent review and a so-called 'trial of the facts' was called - but the peer died before the proceedings could begin. In January a report by retired High Court Judge Sir Richard Henriques found that three previous chances had been missed to charge Lord Janner while he was alive: 1991: A complaint of sexual assaults by one individual who featured in the trial of paedophile care worker Frank Beck. The allegation, in essence, was one of grooming and sexual abuse of the alleged male victim between the ages of 13 and 15. The CPS decided there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. 2002: In an investigation named Operation Magnolia. Lord Janner was the subject of allegations as part of a probe into abuse children's home. The CPS says specific allegations relating to him were not referred to them and claim police chose not to pursue him. 2006: As part of a new sex abuse investigation, Operation Dauntless, an alleged victim made allegations of serious sexual offending around 1981 by three individuals including Lord Janner. The CPS decision in 2007 was again that there was insufficient evidence to prosecute. Advertisement

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders originally decided that the peer should not be charged because he was suffering from dementia, but this was overturned by an independent review.

While he was unfit to stand trial, a proceeding called a trial of the facts was due to take place at the Old Bailey. However this was dropped when he died.

Mr Emmerson 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 examination of claims linked to Lord Janner is one of 13 investigations launched by the inquiry, which is being chaired by New Zealand judge Justice Goddard.

The inquiry is unable to make findings of criminal or civil liability, but Mr Emmerson said it will 'often be required to make findings of fact on allegations which, if true, may amount to the commission of a criminal offence'.

He added: 'No one should be in any doubt, therefore, that where the evidence justifies it ...the panel will make findings of fact on allegations of child sexual abuse.'

Referring to the inquiry as a whole, Mr Emmerson said: 'The task is vast but critically important.'

He cited figures indicating that between April 2012 and March 2014 more than 50,000 children were identified as victims of sexual abuse, adding that there were suggestions the true number may be as high as 450,000.

Mr Emmerson added: 'These figures should answer the doubts of anyone who questions the need for this inquiry.'

However, Mr Emmerson said: 'No-one should be in any doubt that, where the evidence justifies it ... the panel will make findings of fact on allegations of child sexual abuse.

In January a report by retired High Court Judge Sir Richard Henriques found that three chances had been missed to charge Lord Janner while he was alive.

The judge found that in 1991 prosecutors made the wrong decision not to charge Lord Janner after an 'inadequate' police investigation.

The inquiry will consider whether there were institutional failures to protect children, with bodies including Leicestershire County Council, the police and the Labour Party set to come under scrutiny.

In 2002 Leicestershire Police failed to pass claims made by a second alleged victim to prosecutors, and in 2007 again a flawed decision was made not to charge the politician when a third man came forward.

Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders (left) had decided that the peer should not be charged, but this was overturned by an independent review. Now the allegations involving the former MP are being examined as part of the wide-ranging Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, chaired by Justice Lowell Goddard (right)

The examination of claims linked to Lord Janner is one of 13 investigations launched by the inquiry, which is set to last for five years and has a budget of £17.9million for this financial year.

An overarching investigation will also look into allegations of child sexual abuse and exploitation involving people of public prominence associated with Westminster.

Mr Emmerson said: 'Allegations of the involvement of politicians in child sexual abuse are reported, on the one hand, as evidence of a paedophile conspiracy at the heart of Westminster and, on the other hand, as evidence of a modern-day witch-hunt.

'It is the role of this inquiry to move from the realms of rumour and speculation, allegation and counter-allegation, to the assessment of objective facts.'

He added that the inquiry 'will also need to recognise the damage that can be caused by false accusations of sexual abuse, without hesitating to make findings against individuals and institutions if justified by the evidence'.