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Tom Watson has questions to answer in Lord Brittan case, PM says Tom Watson defends his actions over Lord Brittan claims
(about 2 hours later)
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has "questions to answer" over his comments about sex abuse allegations against former Home Secretary Leon Brittan, David Cameron has said. Labour deputy leader Tom Watson has refused to apologise for demanding that police investigate sex abuse claims against the late Lord Brittan.
The prime minister said Mr Watson should "examine his conscience" after Lord Brittan's brother called for an apology over "unfounded accusations". His refusal came after Tory MP Sir Nicholas Soames said he had "vilely traduced" the former home secretary.
Mr Watson said on Friday he had had a "duty" to inform police of the claims. But Mr Watson told the Commons he was "right to demand that guidelines were adhered to", and said abuse survivors had been "belittled for too long".
Lord Brittan died in January unaware that police had dropped a rape inquiry. Lord Brittan died unaware that police had dropped a rape inquiry against him.
The BBC understands that four Conservative MPs have asked Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz to put Mr Watson's actions on the agenda when it meets on Tuesday. 'Terrified to speak out'
Mr Watson added: "It is not for me to judge the validity of these claims.
"I believe very many victims of this country have been too terrified to speak out for too long. It's not all over just because a few famous people have gone to prison."
Mr Watson also made reference to remarks made by Prime Minister David Cameron earlier, who urged him to "examine his conscience" over his actions, after Lord Brittan's brother called for an apology over "unfounded accusations".
"I think we all need to examine our consciences in this House, we presided over a state of affairs where children have been abused and then ignored, dismissed and then disdained.
"If anyone deserves an apology it is them," Mr Watson added, to cries of "shame" from the Conservative Party benches.
Speaking afterwards Sir Nicholas said Mr Watson had "failed miserably" to respond to criticism.
He said Mr Watson's statement to MPs earlier was a "non-apology" and that his conduct was "completely unacceptable".
Meanwhile, BBC News has obtained a letter written by Mr Watson to the Director for Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders in April 2014 about the rape allegation against Lord Brittan.
In the letter he said he was "driven to the unpalatable conclusion that the identity of the alleged perpetrator - Leon Brittan - may in some way have influenced treatment of the case".
Mr Watson also made it clear he was writing the letter following complaints from the alleged victim over the way the case had been handled and urged Ms Saunders to look at it again.
The BBC also understands that four Conservative MPs have asked Home Affairs Select Committee chairman Keith Vaz to put Mr Watson's actions on the agenda when it meets on Tuesday.
Mr Cameron told LBC radio: "The House of Commons select committees are quite rightly going to ask him some questions so I'm sure he should answer those questions and examine his conscience about whether he's said enough so far."Mr Cameron told LBC radio: "The House of Commons select committees are quite rightly going to ask him some questions so I'm sure he should answer those questions and examine his conscience about whether he's said enough so far."
'Sorry for distress''Sorry for distress'
On Friday Mr Watson admitted he should not have repeated a claim that Lord Brittan was "close to evil" and said he was sorry for causing distress to the Brittan family.On Friday Mr Watson admitted he should not have repeated a claim that Lord Brittan was "close to evil" and said he was sorry for causing distress to the Brittan family.
But the MP said he had wanted the claims against Lord Brittan, whose career included two years as home secretary in Margaret Thatcher's government, "properly investigated".But the MP said he had wanted the claims against Lord Brittan, whose career included two years as home secretary in Margaret Thatcher's government, "properly investigated".
The Crown Prosecution Service found in July 2013 that there was not enough evidence for a prosecution over the claim Lord Brittan had raped a 19-year-old female 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 had raped a 19-year-old female student in 1967.
Mr Watson later called for a full review of all abuse allegations made against the peer. Mr Watson later called for a full review of all abuse allegations made against the peer, who died in January.
Officers subsequently interviewed Lord Brittan, who had terminal cancer at the time, but no charges were brought.Officers subsequently interviewed Lord Brittan, who had terminal cancer at the time, but no charges were brought.
Police have since said they would not have taken further action over the rape claim.Police have since said they would not have taken further action over the rape claim.