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Metropolitan Police probed over child abuse 'cover-up' claims | Metropolitan Police probed over child abuse 'cover-up' claims |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The police watchdog is investigating alleged corruption in the Metropolitan Police, including claims it covered up child sex offences because MPs and police officers were involved. | The police watchdog is investigating alleged corruption in the Metropolitan Police, including claims it covered up child sex offences because MPs and police officers were involved. |
The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating 14 referrals spanning four decades. | The Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating 14 referrals spanning four decades. |
It said the claims were of "high-level corruption of the most serious nature". | It said the claims were of "high-level corruption of the most serious nature". |
The Met said it had voluntarily referred the allegations, which arose from an investigation launched in 2012. | The Met said it had voluntarily referred the allegations, which arose from an investigation launched in 2012. |
The investigation, known as Operation Fairbank, is looking into historical child sex abuse claims involving politicians and other public figures. | The investigation, known as Operation Fairbank, is looking into historical child sex abuse claims involving politicians and other public figures. |
Peter Saunders, chief executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac), said the corruption allegations could lead to "absolutely massive" revelations. | |
He said people calling their helpline had made allegations about "high-profile" people, including politicians, for years and that he had wondered "if the truth was ever going to come out". | |
Allegations, dating from between 1970 and 2005, being considered by the IPCC include: | |
'On the cusp' | |
Labour MP for Rochdale Simon Danczuk told BBC Radio 4's World at One the investigation was a "significant development". | Labour MP for Rochdale Simon Danczuk told BBC Radio 4's World at One the investigation was a "significant development". |
Mr Danczuk, who had been calling for such an inquiry, said: "We are on the cusp of finding out exactly what went on in the 70s and 1980s and, I'm sorry to say, I think it will be shown that senior politicians were involved in abuse and there was a cover up. I think that's inevitable now." | Mr Danczuk, who had been calling for such an inquiry, said: "We are on the cusp of finding out exactly what went on in the 70s and 1980s and, I'm sorry to say, I think it will be shown that senior politicians were involved in abuse and there was a cover up. I think that's inevitable now." |
The IPCC will "manage" an investigation that was already being conducted by the Met Police's Directorate of Professional Standards into the alleged corruption. | |
A further two referrals of a similar nature have been received from the Met Police and are being assessed, the IPCC said. | |
The force said in a statement it "recognised the severity of the allegations, and the importance of understanding whether or not our officers had in the past acted inappropriately". | |
Peter Garsden, president of the Association of Child Abuse Lawyers, said those who had suffered abuse themselves would want the inquiry to be conducted transparently. | |
He told the BBC: "They will believe that even this investigation, I suspect, will be yet another cover-up. So it's very difficult to persuade them that everything is being done." | |
Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "It is worrying that this is not a fully independent investigation. Instead the Met will lead this work with oversight from the IPCC. | Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "It is worrying that this is not a fully independent investigation. Instead the Met will lead this work with oversight from the IPCC. |
"Surely this should be done by an independent investigator or, at the very least, an alternate force." | "Surely this should be done by an independent investigator or, at the very least, an alternate force." |
The other allegations that form part of the IPCC investigation are: | The other allegations that form part of the IPCC investigation are: |
Have you been affected by the issues in this story? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk | Have you been affected by the issues in this story? You can share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk |
Please leave a contact number if you are willing to speak with a BBC journalist. | Please leave a contact number if you are willing to speak with a BBC journalist. |
Have your say | Have your say |