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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. |