This article is from the source 'bbc' 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.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-41547471
The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Inquiry to examine claims of abuse by Cyril Smith in Rochdale | Inquiry to examine claims of abuse by Cyril Smith in Rochdale |
(about 5 hours later) | |
Allegations of sexual abuse at two children's homes in Rochdale are due to be examined by the Independent Inquiry into child sexual abuse later. | |
The national inquiry will investigate an alleged failure to prosecute the late Liberal Democrat MP Cyril Smith. | The national inquiry will investigate an alleged failure to prosecute the late Liberal Democrat MP Cyril Smith. |
The allegations relate to Cambridge House Boys' Hostel and Knowl View School, where Mr Smith was a governor. | The allegations relate to Cambridge House Boys' Hostel and Knowl View School, where Mr Smith was a governor. |
The inquiry will hear evidence over three weeks of hearings and examine claims of institutional failings. | The inquiry will hear evidence over three weeks of hearings and examine claims of institutional failings. |
'Stale' evidence | 'Stale' evidence |
Claims of abuse date back to the early 1960s when Mr Smith, the town's former MP, is first alleged to have abused eight teenage boys. | Claims of abuse date back to the early 1960s when Mr Smith, the town's former MP, is first alleged to have abused eight teenage boys. |
In 1970, when he was hoping to stand for election as the town's MP, prosecutors decided not to take any further action. | In 1970, when he was hoping to stand for election as the town's MP, prosecutors decided not to take any further action. |
They said his accusers were not reliable and the evidence was "stale". | They said his accusers were not reliable and the evidence was "stale". |
In the 1990s, several experts also reported concerns about child abuse, only for the council and police to decide not to act. Mr Smith died in 2010. | In the 1990s, several experts also reported concerns about child abuse, only for the council and police to decide not to act. Mr Smith died in 2010. |
The Rochdale children's homes allegations have never been investigated in their entirety. | The Rochdale children's homes allegations have never been investigated in their entirety. |
'Shadow over town' | 'Shadow over town' |
Last month, Rochdale Borough Council said the children in local authority care in the town who reported sexual and physical abuse had been failed by the council. | Last month, Rochdale Borough Council said the children in local authority care in the town who reported sexual and physical abuse had been failed by the council. |
Its chief executive, Steve Rumbelow, said events at Knowl View and Cambridge House had "cast a long shadow over the town". | Its chief executive, Steve Rumbelow, said events at Knowl View and Cambridge House had "cast a long shadow over the town". |
He apologised, saying the council's response to reports of abuse was "unforgiveable". | He apologised, saying the council's response to reports of abuse was "unforgiveable". |
A police investigation, published this year, found no evidence of a cover-up or corruption over claims of abuse at Knowl View. | A police investigation, published this year, found no evidence of a cover-up or corruption over claims of abuse at Knowl View. |