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IPCC launches 13 further child sex abuse corruption inquiries | IPCC launches 13 further child sex abuse corruption inquiries |
(35 minutes later) | |
Thirteen further investigations have been launched into police corruption relating to historical child sex abuse claims, the police watchdog says. | Thirteen further investigations have been launched into police corruption relating to historical child sex abuse claims, the police watchdog says. |
It is alleged that an investigation into a paedophile ring in the 1970s in London was closed down on instructions by high-ranking officers. | It is alleged that an investigation into a paedophile ring in the 1970s in London was closed down on instructions by high-ranking officers. |
Another involves claims that Special Branch interfered in an investigation involving an MP. | Another involves claims that Special Branch interfered in an investigation involving an MP. |
All relate to child sex offences from the 1970s to the 2000s, the IPCC said. | All relate to child sex offences from the 1970s to the 2000s, the IPCC said. |
Twelve involve the Metropolitan Police and one relates to Essex Police, it added. | Twelve involve the Metropolitan Police and one relates to Essex Police, it added. |
The investigations are to be conducted by the Metropolitan Police's professional standards department, but will be overseen by the IPCC, the watchdog said. | The investigations are to be conducted by the Metropolitan Police's professional standards department, but will be overseen by the IPCC, the watchdog said. |
The majority of the investigations stem from allegations made by retired Met Police officers. | The majority of the investigations stem from allegations made by retired Met Police officers. |
The investigations involve allegations that: | The investigations involve allegations that: |
Three of the cases involve the Met's former Special Branch - the team that had responsibility for, among other things, personal protection for VIPs, including many politicians. | |
'Enormous workload' | |
The latest investigations are in addition to 17 inquires announced earlier this year. | The latest investigations are in addition to 17 inquires announced earlier this year. |
They all related to claims about the alleged suppressing evidence, officers hindering or halting investigations, and claims offences were covered up because of the involvement of MPs and police officers. | They all related to claims about the alleged suppressing evidence, officers hindering or halting investigations, and claims offences were covered up because of the involvement of MPs and police officers. |
IPCC Commissioner Jennifer Izekor said: "We are continuing to receive further referrals from the Met and have now assessed that a further 12 require management by the IPCC in addition to one from Essex Police. | IPCC Commissioner Jennifer Izekor said: "We are continuing to receive further referrals from the Met and have now assessed that a further 12 require management by the IPCC in addition to one from Essex Police. |
"Our investigators will now oversee these investigations and ensure they meet our robust standards." | "Our investigators will now oversee these investigations and ensure they meet our robust standards." |
BBC home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds said the announcement of further inquiries was a "very significant development" and that the IPCC now had an "enormous workload" to carry out. | |
"I think this stems very much from police officers from the past coming forward and saying 'hang on a second I've got concerns about something I saw back them when I was working'," our correspondent said. | |
He said the inquiries were an attempt to address the "growing number of concerns among senior officers". |