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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.
Allegations being considered by the IPCC include: Peter Saunders, chief executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac), said the corruption allegations could lead to "absolutely massive" revelations.
The IPCC will "manage" an investigation that was already being conducted by the Met Police's Directorate of Professional Standards into the alleged corruption. It says it is still considering whether to take responsibility for investigating two of a total of 16 allegations referred to it by the Met. 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".
The force said in a statement: "The allegations emerged whilst officers were working on Operation Fairbank and relate to the period between 1970 and 2005. Allegations, dating from between 1970 and 2005, being considered by the IPCC include:
"The MPS [Metropolitan Police Service] recognised the severity of the allegations, and the importance of understanding whether or not our officers had in the past acted inappropriately, and therefore voluntarily referred the 16 separate allegations to the IPCC. 'On the cusp'
"Ongoing investigations and recent convictions by officers from the Sexual Offences, Exploitation and Child Abuse Command have shown that the MPS is fully committed to investigating non-recent allegations of sexual abuse."
'Appalling allegations'
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."
Peter Saunders, chief executive of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood (Napac) said: "I think we're looking at something that is going to be absolutely massive in terms of the revelations that will follow the allegations, if investigated properly."
He said people calling the Napac 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".
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. They will be triggered into further suffering and memories of the abuse that happened to them many years ago - so it's a deeply troubling experience for the entire survivor group of people."
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.ukHave 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.
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