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Cyril Smith inquiry: Police identify new suspects Cyril Smith inquiry: Police identify new suspects
(35 minutes later)
Police have identified "a number of suspects" as part of an investigation into alleged sexual abuse at a school linked to the late MP Cyril Smith.Police have identified "a number of suspects" as part of an investigation into alleged sexual abuse at a school linked to the late MP Cyril Smith.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) added more alleged victims had come forward over claims about Knowl View School in Rochdale from the 1970s.Greater Manchester Police (GMP) added more alleged victims had come forward over claims about Knowl View School in Rochdale from the 1970s.
The allegations related to at least 11 potential suspects.The allegations related to at least 11 potential suspects.
Rochdale Council said it was launching an inquiry into a possible abuse cover-up at the residential school for boys.Rochdale Council said it was launching an inquiry into a possible abuse cover-up at the residential school for boys.
It is understood nine people have contacted police to say they were abused by adults at the school, which has closed, from the 1970s onwards. 'Victims appeal'
It is understood nine people have contacted police to say they were abused from the 1970s onwards by adults at the school, which closed in 1992.
No-one has been arrested.
GMP Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said: "I would like to appeal for victims of abuse to come forward.GMP Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said: "I would like to appeal for victims of abuse to come forward.
"We recognise this is a hugely difficult decision for the people involved, particularly when they involve the events many years ago.""We recognise this is a hugely difficult decision for the people involved, particularly when they involve the events many years ago."
The force is also carrying out an investigation whether there is evidence of a criminal cover-up over the abuse allegations. He said officers were also trying to trace a "significant" number of people in relation to the investigation.
In 2012, the force investigated claims Smith abused young boys in the 1960s while in his role as secretary of the Rochdale Hostel for Boys Association.
He had been accused of abusing eight youngsters at Cambridge Hostel in the town by spanking and touching them.
Three separate files were passed to the director of public prosecutions and the Crown Prosecution Service, although on each occasion no prosecution was pursued.
Smith's family has said he always denied such accusations.
GMP has also said it is also carrying out an investigation into whether there is evidence of a criminal cover-up over the abuse allegations.
The claims were published in a book by Rochdale's Labour MP Simon Danczuk called Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith.The claims were published in a book by Rochdale's Labour MP Simon Danczuk called Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith.
Police, spies and politicians covered up the child abuse carried out by Smith, according to Mr Danczuk's book.
The former Rochdale Liberal Democrat MP was left free to abuse children as young as eight despite 144 complaints by victims, the author claimed.
Sir Peter said: "We are carrying out a review into those allegations and other matters of public debate around that book to see whether that justifies a criminal investigation into allegations of a cover-up."Sir Peter said: "We are carrying out a review into those allegations and other matters of public debate around that book to see whether that justifies a criminal investigation into allegations of a cover-up."
Smith was MP from 1972 to 1992. He died in 2010 aged 82.