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Rochdale inquiry: 'Wider abuse' beyond Cyril Smith claims Rochdale inquiry: Prosecutors 'stopped 1970 Cyril Smith abuse case'
(about 2 hours later)
Investigations into alleged sex offences by late politician Cyril Smith "illuminated" wider abuse suffered by boys in care, an inquiry heard. MI5 was made aware prosecutors lied that child sex abuse claims against Cyril Smith were unlikely to lead to a prosecution, an inquiry heard.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) is examining how the Liberal MP was allegedly able to target boys in Rochdale institutions. Detectives had said the "sordid" claims about the late MP's alleged abuse of young boys in 1970 "stood up".
The allegations relate to Cambridge House Boys' Hostel and Knowl View School, where Mr Smith was a governor. Security bosses heard the Director of Public Prosecutions stopped the case, a national inquiry heard.
Smith was the subject of sex abuse claims over decades during his career. The inquiry is examining how Smith was allegedly able to target boys in Rochdale institutions.
He was never prosecuted and received a knighthood before his death in 2010. The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) heard how the investigation into Smith had "illuminated" wider abuse suffered by boys in care.
In his opening statement, counsel to the inquiry Brian Altman QC said: "I emphasise that this is not an investigation into Cyril Smith. The inquiry is looking into alleged offences at Cambridge House hostel and the Knowl View residential school in Rochdale, where he was governor.
"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." 'Veneer of respectability'
'Protected by establishment' A police probe into the MP in 1970 - the year he first ran for national office - concluded he was hiding behind a "veneer of respectability" to target eight young boys at Cambridge House during the 1960s.
But the public interest in Smith's alleged offending allowed a wider pattern of abuse to come to light, he added. In his opening statement, counsel to the inquiry Brian Altman QC, said Sir Norman Skelhorn - then Director of Public Prosecutions - claimed the police inquiry was unlikely to lead to a prosecution.
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. He said the security services at MI5 were informed the Rochdale Alternative Press (RAP), which published an investigation into Smith in 1979, had been misled by Sir Norman's office.
"In many ways, it illuminated the day-to-day experiences of children that would have gone unexamined." According to the records, the DPP told the publication it had never received police reports of abuse by the Liberal MP.
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. But the inquiry heard how a detective superintendent at Lancashire Police made an "unsparing" report about Smith to the force's chief constable at the time.
She said: "We are conscious of the great challenges that many of you have encountered as a result of your experiences as children." The report said: "It seems impossible to excuse his conduct over a considerable period of time whilst sheltering behind a veneer of respectability.
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. "He has used his unique position to indulge in a sordid series of indecent episodes with young boys towards whom he had a special responsibility."
"These events did not happened so long ago as to consign them to history." The officer said the allegations, which included that he spanked some boys on the bare bottoms and medically examined others, "stood up", the hearing was told.
Smith was the subject of sex abuse claims over decades during his career but was never prosecuted and received a knighthood before his death in 2010.
'False representations'
Mr Altman said of material provided to the inquiry by MI5: "The documents show that the Security Service's legal adviser was informed of the false representations to the press from the DPP's office."
In 1988, when Smith was made a knight, then prime minister Margaret Thatcher had probably been informed of his chequered past, the inquiry heard.
A draft letter from Lord Shackleton on behalf of the Political Honours Scrutiny Committee to the PM directly referred to the police investigation and coverage in RAP and Private Eye.
While it is not clear whether the prime minister received this letter, another letter enclosing the coverage is believed to have been sent to her private secretary in May 1988.
Mr Altman told the inquiry the letter demonstrated that the police investigation and the RAP article had been "considered at the very highest level of politics" and seemingly "did not prompt more than consideration of the DPP's decision not to prosecute".