This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/politics/2015/oct/15/home-affairs-committee-urged-to-quiz-zac-goldsmith-over-his-sex-abuse-claims

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Home affairs committee urged to quiz Zac Goldsmith over his sex abuse claims Home affairs committee urged to quiz Zac Goldsmith over his sex abuse claims
(about 1 hour later)
Zac Goldsmith is facing demands to appear before a parliamentary select committee after he refused to withdraw claims about an alleged paedophile ring in his constituency.Zac Goldsmith is facing demands to appear before a parliamentary select committee after he refused to withdraw claims about an alleged paedophile ring in his constituency.
A member of the home affairs select committee wrote to colleagues on Thursday morning asking that they invite the Conservative mayoral candidate for London to appear before them as soon as possible.A member of the home affairs select committee wrote to colleagues on Thursday morning asking that they invite the Conservative mayoral candidate for London to appear before them as soon as possible.
It follows claims disclosed in the Guardian that Goldsmith repeated unfounded allegations of abuse by VIPs in Richmond, south-west London, that were apparently based on testimony from a convicted fraudster.It follows claims disclosed in the Guardian that Goldsmith repeated unfounded allegations of abuse by VIPs in Richmond, south-west London, that were apparently based on testimony from a convicted fraudster.
Related: Zac Goldsmith urged to withdraw paedophile ring allegationsRelated: Zac Goldsmith urged to withdraw paedophile ring allegations
The Old Etonian told MPs in November there had been a cover-up of abuse at Elm Guest House, involving establishment figures including a former cabinet minister, whom he did not name, but who was identified on social media as Leon Brittan. The Old Etonian told MPs in November there had been a cover-up of abuse at Elm Guest House, involving establishment figures including a former cabinet minister, whom he did not name but who was identified on social media as Leon Brittan.
Goldsmith hit back at the criticism on Thursday, sayingit was “absurd” to demand a retraction because he had been careful not to implicate any individuals.Goldsmith hit back at the criticism on Thursday, sayingit was “absurd” to demand a retraction because he had been careful not to implicate any individuals.
Harvey Proctor, the former Tory MP who has been questioned by police over the alleged paedophile ring and denies any involvement, called for Goldsmith to drop out of the race to become mayor unless he withdraws the statements. Harvey Proctor, the former Tory MP who has been questioned by police over the alleged paedophile ring and denies any involvement, called for Goldsmith to drop out of the race to become mayor unless he withdrew the statements.
Sir Samuel Brittan, the brother of the late former home secretary, said it would be “helpful” if Goldsmith clarified his statements by confirming that Brittan was innocent of all charges.Sir Samuel Brittan, the brother of the late former home secretary, said it would be “helpful” if Goldsmith clarified his statements by confirming that Brittan was innocent of all charges.
Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, has been accused of using the floor of the Commons to make an unfounded allegation that a senior Conservative MP was linked to the smuggling of child abuse images.Tom Watson, Labour’s deputy leader, has been accused of using the floor of the Commons to make an unfounded allegation that a senior Conservative MP was linked to the smuggling of child abuse images.
Watson did not name the politician but the MP alerted a lawyer and the Press Complaints Commission after he realised that people had worked out who he was, the Times reported. Watson will give evidence to the committee on Wednesday.Watson did not name the politician but the MP alerted a lawyer and the Press Complaints Commission after he realised that people had worked out who he was, the Times reported. Watson will give evidence to the committee on Wednesday.
Related: Tom Watson faces rising pressure over Leon Brittan claimsRelated: Tom Watson faces rising pressure over Leon Brittan claims
Labour’s deputy leader has apologised for describing Brittan as “close to evil” but has refused to accept that police have no evidence that he was a paedophile. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Met commissioner, is also expected to appear to explain whether the force has succumbed to pressure from MPs.Labour’s deputy leader has apologised for describing Brittan as “close to evil” but has refused to accept that police have no evidence that he was a paedophile. Sir Bernard Hogan-Howe, the Met commissioner, is also expected to appear to explain whether the force has succumbed to pressure from MPs.
David Winnick, a longstanding member of the committee, has written to fellow committee members requesting that Goldsmith and Proctor also be asked to appear as witnesses.David Winnick, a longstanding member of the committee, has written to fellow committee members requesting that Goldsmith and Proctor also be asked to appear as witnesses.
“It seems to me appropriate that Zac Goldsmith should explain to the committee his remarks of last November; more so since Brittan’s brother said it would be helpful if Goldsmith clarified his statements about the former home secretary.“It seems to me appropriate that Zac Goldsmith should explain to the committee his remarks of last November; more so since Brittan’s brother said it would be helpful if Goldsmith clarified his statements about the former home secretary.
“There is [also] a case for Harvey Proctor to have an opportunity before the committee to again dismiss as nonsense and a smear his alleged involvement, along with Edward Heath, in some paedophile ring,” he said.“There is [also] a case for Harvey Proctor to have an opportunity before the committee to again dismiss as nonsense and a smear his alleged involvement, along with Edward Heath, in some paedophile ring,” he said.
Goldsmith is unlikely to appear at the same hearing as Watson on Wednesday, but the issue is expected to be discussed by committee members this week.Goldsmith is unlikely to appear at the same hearing as Watson on Wednesday, but the issue is expected to be discussed by committee members this week.
In a lengthy speech to parliament in November 2014, Goldsmith claimed he had been “reliably told” that 12 boys gave evidence in 1982 that they had been abused at Elm Guest House.In a lengthy speech to parliament in November 2014, Goldsmith claimed he had been “reliably told” that 12 boys gave evidence in 1982 that they had been abused at Elm Guest House.
He claimed that according to “a child protection campaigner from the National Association Of Young People In Care”, boys had been brought in from a local children’s home for sex with VIPs; and that the former owner of the guest house had apparently once had “photographs of establishment figures at her hotel. One of them apparently showed a former cabinet minister in a sauna with a naked boy.” He claimed that according to “a child protection campaigner from the National Association of Young People in Care”, boys had been brought in from a local children’s home for sex with VIPs; and that the former owner of the guest house had apparently once had “photographs of establishment figures at her hotel. One of them apparently showed a former cabinet minister in a sauna with a naked boy.”
A year-long inquiry by Panorama, broadcast nine days ago, interviewed the former social worker Chris Fay, a campaigner for the National Association of Young People in Care and convicted fraudster. A year-long inquiry by Panorama, broadcast nine days ago, interviewed Chris Fay, a former social worker, a campaigner for the National Association of Young People in Care and a convicted fraudster.
Fay told the programme that he had seen a compromising photograph of Brittan taken in a sauna. He also claimed that Proctor’s name was on the list of VIP paedophiles who attended Elm Guest House, but the list has since disappeared.Fay told the programme that he had seen a compromising photograph of Brittan taken in a sauna. He also claimed that Proctor’s name was on the list of VIP paedophiles who attended Elm Guest House, but the list has since disappeared.
One of the alleged abuse victims named by Fay told the programme he had never spoken to Fay and that he had never been to Elm Guest House. Another interviewee said he was pressured by Fay into saying Brittan was present while abuse took place by another accuser.One of the alleged abuse victims named by Fay told the programme he had never spoken to Fay and that he had never been to Elm Guest House. Another interviewee said he was pressured by Fay into saying Brittan was present while abuse took place by another accuser.
Goldsmith has not responded to questions asking if he would be willing to appear before the committee, if he ever met Fay or whether he was aware that he was referring to Brittan when he told MPs about the cabinet minister in a sauna. Goldsmith has not responded to questions asking whether he would be willing to appear before the committee, whether he ever met Fay or whether he was aware that he was referring to Brittan when he told MPs about the cabinet minister in a sauna.
But in a statement issued on Thursday through a spokesperson, Goldsmith said: “I have always been careful not to implicate or name any names at all on the basis of information I received in relation to abuse for the simple reason that I am not qualified to do so. In a statement issued on Thursday through a spokesperson, Goldsmith said: “I have always been careful not to implicate or name any names at all on the basis of information I received in relation to abuse for the simple reason that I am not qualified to do so.
“I pointed out that abuse happened both at Elm Guest House and Grafton Close care home, in my constituency, and that the subsequent investigations were grossly inadequate.“I pointed out that abuse happened both at Elm Guest House and Grafton Close care home, in my constituency, and that the subsequent investigations were grossly inadequate.
“No one doubts the abuse occurred and the Home Office’s Goddard Inquiry exists precisely because of a recognition that the investigations were inadequate. It is therefore absurd for anyone to demand a retraction for these assertions.” “No one doubts the abuse occurred and the Home Office’s Goddard inquiry exists precisely because of a recognition that the investigations were inadequate. It is therefore absurd for anyone to demand a retraction for these assertions.”