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Lord Janner allegedly abused 30 boys over 33 years and carried out sexual offences including rape, a public inquiry has heard.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, chaired by Dame Lowell Goddard, will make a findings of fact over claims of abuse by the late Labour peer.

Justice Goddard will examine allegations that Janner committed child sex

abuse over 30 years from the mid-1950s - including claims he arranged for

boys to be brought to the Houses of Parliament.

Speaking at the inquiry's first hearing, Ben Emmerson QC, counsel to the

inquiry, 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."

Lord Janner died at the end of last year aged 87, shortly after a judge had

ruled that the he was unfit to stand trial over historical child sex claims

from 12 alleged victims.

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Mr Emmerson, counsel to the inquiry, added: "The alleged offending is said

to have taken place at children's homes, hotels and the Janner family home.

"In relation to a number of complainants it was alleged that Janner abused

his position as an MP by arranging children in whom he had a sexual

interest to be brought to the Houses of Parliament."

Read more:How the Lord Janner investigation unfolded

Lord Janner "exploited children" and committed a "full range of sexual

offences" including rape, it is alleged.

The offending was alleged to have taken place at children's homes and

hotels and dated between 1955 and 1988, the hearing was told.

Seventeen complainants have been given core participant status at the

inquiry which means they are officially represented.

(Image: Reuters)

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.

The examination of claims linked to Lord Janner is one of 13 investigations

launched by the inquiry, including of abuse in Lambeth, south London,

uncovered by the Mirror over three years.

Referring to the inquiry as a whole, Mr Emerson said: "The task is vast

but critically important."

The inquiry is unable to make findings of criminal or civil liability.