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Cyril Smith abuse case: 'Justice has been cheated' Cyril Smith abuse case: 'Justice has been cheated'
(35 minutes later)
The failure to charge Sir Cyril Smith with sex abuse means "justice has been cheated", a solicitor representing one of his alleged victims has said.The failure to charge Sir Cyril Smith with sex abuse means "justice has been cheated", a solicitor representing one of his alleged victims has said.
On Tuesday Greater Manchester Police (GMP) acknowledged Smith was a sex abuser of boys in the late 1960s,On Tuesday Greater Manchester Police (GMP) acknowledged Smith was a sex abuser of boys in the late 1960s,
Eight men had accused the former Rochdale MP, who died two years ago aged 82, of abusing them as teenagers at a hostel in the 1960s.Eight men had accused the former Rochdale MP, who died two years ago aged 82, of abusing them as teenagers at a hostel in the 1960s.
Lawyer Alan Collins said they had been vindicated "40 or 50 years too late".Lawyer Alan Collins said they had been vindicated "40 or 50 years too late".
One of the eight men is to sue Rochdale Council, Mr Collins has confirmed.One of the eight men is to sue Rochdale Council, Mr Collins has confirmed.
'Very tragic''Very tragic'
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has admitted Sir Cyril should have been charged with sex crimes more than 40 years ago.The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has admitted Sir Cyril should have been charged with sex crimes more than 40 years ago.
Although he was not charged as a result of inquiries in 1970 and the 1990s, the CPS said procedural changes meant a prosecution would have been pursued today.Although he was not charged as a result of inquiries in 1970 and the 1990s, the CPS said procedural changes meant a prosecution would have been pursued today.
Mr Collins, a partner at the Pannone law firm, said: "Whilst the news is very welcome it's also very tragic because justice has been cheated.Mr Collins, a partner at the Pannone law firm, said: "Whilst the news is very welcome it's also very tragic because justice has been cheated.
"These victims have lived with the consequences of what happened to them for decades."These victims have lived with the consequences of what happened to them for decades.
"They seek acceptance by those in authority that they were abused because this allows them to draw a line in the sand and move on.""They seek acceptance by those in authority that they were abused because this allows them to draw a line in the sand and move on."
The leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: "Where the council has a liability, solicitors will talk and seek to move forward."The leader of Rochdale Council, Councillor Colin Lambert, said: "Where the council has a liability, solicitors will talk and seek to move forward."
In a statement, Sir Cyril's family said they were "deeply saddened and concerned" by the allegations "made so long after Sir Cyril's death and at a time when he is no longer able to defend himself".In a statement, Sir Cyril's family said they were "deeply saddened and concerned" by the allegations "made so long after Sir Cyril's death and at a time when he is no longer able to defend himself".
GMP has now assumed overall command of the investigation after working alongside Lancashire Police.
The Lancashire force's investigation centred on offences allegedly committed between 1961 and 1965 at Cambridge House Children's Home, a privately-run care home in Rochdale.
The home opened in February 1962 after being set up by the Rochdale Hostel for Boys Association, a voluntary group of which Sir Cyril was secretary.
It had room for 20 boys but closed at the end of 1965, due to a lack of funds.