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| Westminster sex abuse inquiry widens amid child homicide claims | Westminster sex abuse inquiry widens amid child homicide claims |
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| Scotland Yard has launched a criminal investigation into claims a child was killed by a paedophile ring alleged to have high-level connections to the establishment. | Scotland Yard has launched a criminal investigation into claims a child was killed by a paedophile ring alleged to have high-level connections to the establishment. |
| Detectives were already investigating allegations of historic child sexual abuse from more than 30 years ago. But officers said in recent weeks they had received fresh allegations of a possible homicide and would look into the claims. | Detectives were already investigating allegations of historic child sexual abuse from more than 30 years ago. But officers said in recent weeks they had received fresh allegations of a possible homicide and would look into the claims. |
| The Guardian understands the claim involves the alleged killing of a child during the alleged activities carried out by members of the ring. | The Guardian understands the claim involves the alleged killing of a child during the alleged activities carried out by members of the ring. |
| The report comes from a man who says he was also abused by the group. Now middle aged, he has been deemed to be sufficiently credible for his allegations to warrant a full murder investigation, with officers from Scotland Yard’s homicide unit being drafted in. | |
| Police stress the homicide investigation, Operation Midland, is at an early stage. It is not thought that the alleged incident involved any of the senior politicians of three decades ago claimed to have been part of the paedophile ring. | Police stress the homicide investigation, Operation Midland, is at an early stage. It is not thought that the alleged incident involved any of the senior politicians of three decades ago claimed to have been part of the paedophile ring. |
| Officers continue to investigate claims of a VIP paedophile ring. That inquiry, Operation Fairbank, was launched after the Labour MP Tom Watson made claims in parliament about a sex abuse gang with establishment connections. | |
| The Metropolitan police said: “Detectives from the child abuse investigation command are working closely with colleagues from the homicide and major crime command concerning this information, which is being looked at under the name of Operation Midland. | The Metropolitan police said: “Detectives from the child abuse investigation command are working closely with colleagues from the homicide and major crime command concerning this information, which is being looked at under the name of Operation Midland. |
| “We will not comment upon speculation as to the identity of any person or locations that may or may not feature in this inquiry. We have taken the decision to release this statement today following a number of media inquiries requesting an update on Operation Midland.” |