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| Police examine claims late Cardiff MP George Thomas abused boy | Police examine claims late Cardiff MP George Thomas abused boy |
| (3 days later) | |
| Police say they are investigating allegations the former House of Commons speaker George Thomas sexually abused a nine-year-old boy. | Police say they are investigating allegations the former House of Commons speaker George Thomas sexually abused a nine-year-old boy. |
| The alleged victim, now aged 55, told the Mirror newspaper he was abused in the 1960s and 1970s by the late MP who was a friend of his foster parents. | The alleged victim, now aged 55, told the Mirror newspaper he was abused in the 1960s and 1970s by the late MP who was a friend of his foster parents. |
| South Wales Police admitted the claims were first made in 2013 and they failed at first to contact the complainant. | South Wales Police admitted the claims were first made in 2013 and they failed at first to contact the complainant. |
| The force has referred the matter to the police watchdog, the IPCC. | The force has referred the matter to the police watchdog, the IPCC. |
| The alleged victim, who now lives in Australia, told the newspaper he was raped by Thomas, who later became Viscount Tonypandy, at his home and another address in Cardiff. | The alleged victim, who now lives in Australia, told the newspaper he was raped by Thomas, who later became Viscount Tonypandy, at his home and another address in Cardiff. |
| "He spent a lot of time at my house as my parents were good friends with him. Things started small but then got a lot worse. It has been with me all my life," he said. | "He spent a lot of time at my house as my parents were good friends with him. Things started small but then got a lot worse. It has been with me all my life," he said. |
| He claims he reported the abuse to South Wales Police on two occasions but was "disappointed" with the response from officers. | He claims he reported the abuse to South Wales Police on two occasions but was "disappointed" with the response from officers. |
| 'Unacceptable delay' | 'Unacceptable delay' |
| South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Holland said: "We were made aware of these allegations in April 2013 and have attempted to get in touch with the victim. | South Wales Police Assistant Chief Constable Nikki Holland said: "We were made aware of these allegations in April 2013 and have attempted to get in touch with the victim. |
| "Unfortunately, incorrect contact information was used and as a result we failed to make contact with him. We have since spoken to the victim, apologised for the delay and are investigating his claims. | "Unfortunately, incorrect contact information was used and as a result we failed to make contact with him. We have since spoken to the victim, apologised for the delay and are investigating his claims. |
| "This delay was clearly unacceptable and we have referred the matter to the IPCC. | "This delay was clearly unacceptable and we have referred the matter to the IPCC. |
| "It is important that victims have the confidence to come forward and speak to us. We take any allegations regarding sexual assault or rape extremely seriously and urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of crime to make contact with us." | "It is important that victims have the confidence to come forward and speak to us. We take any allegations regarding sexual assault or rape extremely seriously and urge anyone who has been a victim of this type of crime to make contact with us." |
| A spokesman for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) confirmed it had received a referral from the force and was assessing it. | A spokesman for the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) confirmed it had received a referral from the force and was assessing it. |
| Viscount Tonypandy, who was a Labour MP in Cardiff from 1945 to 1983 died of cancer in 1997, aged 88. | |
| The Methodist preacher held the role of Secretary of State for Wales from 1968 to 1970 and was Commons Speaker between 1976 and 1983. | The Methodist preacher held the role of Secretary of State for Wales from 1968 to 1970 and was Commons Speaker between 1976 and 1983. |