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| Two men arrested in 1980s guest house 'abuse' inquiry | Two men arrested in 1980s guest house 'abuse' inquiry |
| (about 2 hours later) | |
| Police investigating allegations of child abuse at a south-west London guest house in the early 1980s have arrested two men. | Police investigating allegations of child abuse at a south-west London guest house in the early 1980s have arrested two men. |
| The Operation Fernbridge inquiry is looking at claims that senior political figures and others sexually abused boys at the Elm Guest House in Barnes. | The Operation Fernbridge inquiry is looking at claims that senior political figures and others sexually abused boys at the Elm Guest House in Barnes. |
| Officers held a 66-year-old in Norfolk and a 70-year-old in East Sussex, the first arrests in the investigation. | Officers held a 66-year-old in Norfolk and a 70-year-old in East Sussex, the first arrests in the investigation. |
| Police began the probe after Labour MP Tom Watson raised concerns. | |
| Scotland Yard say the allegations are not connected with current residents of the property, which has been converted into residential flats. | Scotland Yard say the allegations are not connected with current residents of the property, which has been converted into residential flats. |
| It is also investigating links between the guest house and the now-closed nearby Grafton Close children's care-home run by Richmond Council. | It is also investigating links between the guest house and the now-closed nearby Grafton Close children's care-home run by Richmond Council. |
| The BBC understands the 70-year-old being questioned worked at the care home while the other arrested man is believed to be a priest with possible connections to the guest house. | The BBC understands the 70-year-old being questioned worked at the care home while the other arrested man is believed to be a priest with possible connections to the guest house. |
| BBC News home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the police investigation centred on claims that the guest house was used by people to abuse boys from the home. | BBC News home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the police investigation centred on claims that the guest house was used by people to abuse boys from the home. |
| The allegations were investigated at the time but resurfaced in October after Mr Watson raised the case in Parliament and called for further inquiries. | The allegations were investigated at the time but resurfaced in October after Mr Watson raised the case in Parliament and called for further inquiries. |
| 'Utmost priority' | 'Utmost priority' |
| Commander Peter Spindler, head of the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Investigations unit, said the "complex multi-agency investigation" was supported by the NSPCC charity, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and Richmond Social Services. | Commander Peter Spindler, head of the Metropolitan Police's Specialist Crime Investigations unit, said the "complex multi-agency investigation" was supported by the NSPCC charity, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and Richmond Social Services. |
| He said anyone affected by, or has information about, activity in the early 1980s at the guest house or care home should contact the NSPCC or police. | He said anyone affected by, or has information about, activity in the early 1980s at the guest house or care home should contact the NSPCC or police. |
| In a statement, Richmond Council said it considered "the safeguarding of all children and young people as an utmost priority and we take any allegations of abuse very seriously". | In a statement, Richmond Council said it considered "the safeguarding of all children and young people as an utmost priority and we take any allegations of abuse very seriously". |
| A spokesman added: "We are offering our full support and co-operation to the police during their investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time." | A spokesman added: "We are offering our full support and co-operation to the police during their investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time." |
| The NSPCC said its helpline number 0800 800 5000 was staffed by trained counsellors 24 hours a day. People with information could also use the email address help@nspcc.org.uk to contact them. | The NSPCC said its helpline number 0800 800 5000 was staffed by trained counsellors 24 hours a day. People with information could also use the email address help@nspcc.org.uk to contact them. |
| NSPCC helpline director Peter Watt said: "We will assist the police in gathering evidence and supporting those who come forward. It's important we recognise the massive impact abuse has on children and young people, often well into their adult life." | NSPCC helpline director Peter Watt said: "We will assist the police in gathering evidence and supporting those who come forward. It's important we recognise the massive impact abuse has on children and young people, often well into their adult life." |