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 1 Version 2
Inquiry to examine claims of abuse by Cyril Smith in Rochdale Rochdale inquiry: 'Wider abuse' beyond Cyril Smith claims
(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. Investigations into alleged sex offences by late politician Cyril Smith "illuminated" wider abuse suffered by boys in care, an inquiry heard.
The national inquiry will investigate an alleged failure to prosecute the late Liberal Democrat MP Cyril Smith. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) is examining how the Liberal MP was allegedly able to target boys in Rochdale institutions.
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. Smith was the subject of sex abuse claims over decades during his career.
'Stale' evidence He was never prosecuted and received a knighthood before his death in 2010.
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 his opening statement, counsel to the inquiry Brian Altman QC said: "I emphasise that this is not an investigation into Cyril Smith.
In 1970, when he was hoping to stand for election as the town's MP, prosecutors decided not to take any further action. "This is an investigation into the the allegations of sexual abuse and exploitation of children residing at or attending Cambridge House Boys' Hostel, Knowl View House and other institutions where their placement was arranged or provided by Rochdale Borough Council."
They said his accusers were not reliable and the evidence was "stale". 'Protected by establishment'
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. But the public interest in Smith's alleged offending allowed a wider pattern of abuse to come to light, he added.
The Rochdale children's homes allegations have never been investigated in their entirety. He said: "The decision to embark upon this investigation was in part a response to the public concern that some politicians including Cyril Smith were involved in child sexual abuse and able to abuse with impunity because they were protected by the establishment.
'Shadow over town' "In many ways, it illuminated the day-to-day experiences of children that would have gone unexamined."
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. The three weeks of evidence hearings began with chairwoman Alexis Jay thanking the core participants for their assistance, some of whom claimed to have been abused by Smith.
Its chief executive, Steve Rumbelow, said events at Knowl View and Cambridge House had "cast a long shadow over the town". She said: "We are conscious of the great challenges that many of you have encountered as a result of your experiences as children."
He apologised, saying the council's response to reports of abuse was "unforgiveable". Mr Altman added: "Society and culture may have changed but many people whose lives were forever blighted by the abuse they suffered have understandably been unable to move on and they continue to seek justice.
A police investigation, published this year, found no evidence of a cover-up or corruption over claims of abuse at Knowl View. "These events did not happened so long ago as to consign them to history."