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Tom Watson 'must apologise' over Lord Brittan claims Tom Watson 'must apologise' over Lord Brittan claims
(about 2 hours later)
Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson should apologise after police dropped a rape inquiry against Leon Brittan, the former home secretary's brother says.Labour's deputy leader Tom Watson should apologise after police dropped a rape inquiry against Leon Brittan, the former home secretary's brother says.
Sir Samuel Brittan said Mr Watson, who demanded prosecutors review abuse allegations made against Lord Brittan, had made "unfounded accusations".Sir Samuel Brittan said Mr Watson, who demanded prosecutors review abuse allegations made against Lord Brittan, had made "unfounded accusations".
Lord Brittan died in January without being told there was no case for him to answer over an alleged rape in 1967.Lord Brittan died in January without being told there was no case for him to answer over an alleged rape in 1967.
Mr Watson has previously said his motivation was to help victims.Mr Watson has previously said his motivation was to help victims.
He also argued he had helped bring historical sex abuse cases to court.He also argued he had helped bring historical sex abuse cases to court.
The BBC has tried to contact Mr Watson but he has not responded.The BBC has tried to contact Mr Watson but he has not responded.
The Crown Prosecution Service found in July 2013 that there was not enough evidence for a prosecution over the claim Lord Brittan raped a 19-year-old student in 1967.The Crown Prosecution Service found in July 2013 that there was not enough evidence for a prosecution over the claim Lord Brittan raped a 19-year-old student in 1967.
The case was reopened last year after Mr Watson wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions. While seriously ill, Lord Brittan was interviewed under caution.The case was reopened last year after Mr Watson wrote to the Director of Public Prosecutions. While seriously ill, Lord Brittan was interviewed under caution.
No charges were brought and police said they would not have taken further action.No charges were brought and police said they would not have taken further action.
But the fact he was questioned enabled the media to name Lord Brittan as a suspect in a sex abuse case.But the fact he was questioned enabled the media to name Lord Brittan as a suspect in a sex abuse case.
London Mayor Boris Johnson has discussed the case with Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Met commissioner.
Mr Johnson regards the delay in contacting Lord Brittan as "completely unacceptable".
'Judge and jury''Judge and jury'
Journalist Sir Samuel said Mr Watson "should apologise to my sister-in-law for making unfounded accusations against my brother".Journalist Sir Samuel said Mr Watson "should apologise to my sister-in-law for making unfounded accusations against my brother".
"And he should apologise in public as well," he told the Daily Mail."And he should apologise in public as well," he told the Daily Mail.
Tory MP Nigel Evans, himself cleared of sexual abuse, agreed Mr Watson should apologise to Lord Brittan's family.Tory MP Nigel Evans, himself cleared of sexual abuse, agreed Mr Watson should apologise to Lord Brittan's family.
"Even when Leon had died, Tom Watson decided to repeat the allegations," Mr Evans said. "It is totally unfounded.""Even when Leon had died, Tom Watson decided to repeat the allegations," Mr Evans said. "It is totally unfounded."
Mr Evans told the BBC Mr Watson had "set himself up as judge and jury".Mr Evans told the BBC Mr Watson had "set himself up as judge and jury".
'Witch-hunt''Witch-hunt'
He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "As vocal as he was at that time, it is amazing that we have heard nothing from him since the revelation that the allegations were not going to be proceeded with."He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "As vocal as he was at that time, it is amazing that we have heard nothing from him since the revelation that the allegations were not going to be proceeded with."
Home Secretary Theresa May said: "I think those of us in public life should be careful about the language we use."
Former Chancellor Norman Lamont said police investigations into historical abuse risked becoming a "witch-hunt".Former Chancellor Norman Lamont said police investigations into historical abuse risked becoming a "witch-hunt".
Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: "I visited Lord Brittan several times in his last days and saw the suffering of a man under the shadow of the vilest accusations. This was an extremely painful time for his wife."Writing in the Daily Telegraph, he said: "I visited Lord Brittan several times in his last days and saw the suffering of a man under the shadow of the vilest accusations. This was an extremely painful time for his wife."
Earlier this week, a vulnerable man who made sex abuse allegations against high-profile figures including Lord Brittan told the BBC he may have been led into making the claims by campaigners.Earlier this week, a vulnerable man who made sex abuse allegations against high-profile figures including Lord Brittan told the BBC he may have been led into making the claims by campaigners.