This article is from the source 'guardian' 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.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/17/police-inquiry-child-sex-abuse
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 4 | Version 5 |
|---|---|
| Met police launch inquiry into historic child sex abuse claims | Met police launch inquiry into historic child sex abuse claims |
| (4 months later) | |
| The Metropolitan police have launched an official investigation into historic claims of child abuse after an MP alleged that a "senior aide of a former prime minister" had links to a member of a paedophile ring. | The Metropolitan police have launched an official investigation into historic claims of child abuse after an MP alleged that a "senior aide of a former prime minister" had links to a member of a paedophile ring. |
| Scotland Yard announced on Thursday that an inquiry, called Operation Fernbridge, was under way into allegations of child abuse in the early 1980s at the Elm Guest House, in Barnes, west London. | Scotland Yard announced on Thursday that an inquiry, called Operation Fernbridge, was under way into allegations of child abuse in the early 1980s at the Elm Guest House, in Barnes, west London. |
| This follows claims made in October by the MP Tom Watson that a file of evidence used to convict Peter Righton of importing indecent images of children in 1992 contained "clear intelligence" of a sex abuse gang. Speaking in parliament, he alleged that a member of the group had bragged about links with a senior aide to a former prime minister. | This follows claims made in October by the MP Tom Watson that a file of evidence used to convict Peter Righton of importing indecent images of children in 1992 contained "clear intelligence" of a sex abuse gang. Speaking in parliament, he alleged that a member of the group had bragged about links with a senior aide to a former prime minister. |
| Raising the issue during prime minister's questions, Watson said: "The evidence file used to convict paedophile Peter Righton, if it still exists, contains clear intelligence of a widespread paedophile ring. One of its members boasts of his links to a senior aide of a former prime minister, who says he could smuggle indecent images of children from abroad. | Raising the issue during prime minister's questions, Watson said: "The evidence file used to convict paedophile Peter Righton, if it still exists, contains clear intelligence of a widespread paedophile ring. One of its members boasts of his links to a senior aide of a former prime minister, who says he could smuggle indecent images of children from abroad. |
| "The leads were not followed up, but if the file still exists I want to ensure that the Metropolitan police secure the evidence, re-examine it and investigate clear intelligence suggesting a powerful paedophile network linked to parliament and No 10." | "The leads were not followed up, but if the file still exists I want to ensure that the Metropolitan police secure the evidence, re-examine it and investigate clear intelligence suggesting a powerful paedophile network linked to parliament and No 10." |
| Police asked anyone with information to contact them on 020 7161 0500. They stressed that the abuse claims were not linked with the current occupants of the address. | Police asked anyone with information to contact them on 020 7161 0500. They stressed that the abuse claims were not linked with the current occupants of the address. |
| Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. | Our editors' picks for the day's top news and commentary delivered to your inbox each morning. |