This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-33631594

The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
MI5 letter among child abuse allegation papers MI5 letter unearthed by Cabinet Office in child abuse inquiry
(about 2 hours later)
A search for files about historical child sexual abuse claims has uncovered a letter from MI5, which said the risk of "political embarrassment" was "greater than the security danger". A Cabinet Office search has unearthed a letter from MI5 about historical child sexual abuse claims which said the risk of "political embarrassment" was "greater than the security danger".
That letter was one of a number of documents found by the Cabinet Office which detail abuse allegations. The material was not disclosed to an official review of Home Office files carried out last year.
The search came after it emerged some papers had not been given to a review of how abuse claims were handled. This found that there was no evidence of records being removed or destroyed.
These have been passed to the police and the review's authors. The review's authors said the material did not alter their findings but it was "unhelpful" for public confidence.
That review, led by NSPCC head Peter Wanless and Richard Whittam QC, concluded last year that there was no evidence that Home Office records had been deliberately removed or destroyed. One of the report's authors, NSPCC head Peter Wanless, said of the newly discovered documents, that the risk to children was "not considered at all".
Both Mr Wanless and Mr Whittam, who examined how the Home Office dealt with files alleging child abuse from 1979 to 1999, say the latest material has not altered their original conclusions.
'Miscellaneous papers''Miscellaneous papers'
Both he and Richard Whittam QC had examined how the Home Office dealt with files alleging child abuse from 1979 to 1999.
Police are also examining the newly emerged material.
Many of the new files found were in a set of previously uncatalogued records called "Cabinet Secretary miscellaneous papers".
It included documents about three MPs - former home secretary Leon Brittan, Sir Peter Morrison and Sir William van Straubenzee - although the contents of those papers is not known.
The MI5 letter, written in 1986 by its then boss Sir Antony Duff, followed an inquiry into a MP alleged to have a "penchant for small boys".The MI5 letter, written in 1986 by its then boss Sir Antony Duff, followed an inquiry into a MP alleged to have a "penchant for small boys".
The letter concluded that the MP's denial was accepted and Sir Anthony wrote that "the risk of political embarrassment to the government is rather greater than the security danger".The letter concluded that the MP's denial was accepted and Sir Anthony wrote that "the risk of political embarrassment to the government is rather greater than the security danger".
Other newly disclosed documents make reference to the Kincora boys' home in Northern Ireland, which was at the centre of a child abuse scandal between the 1950s and the 1980s.Other newly disclosed documents make reference to the Kincora boys' home in Northern Ireland, which was at the centre of a child abuse scandal between the 1950s and the 1980s.
Many of the new files found were in a set of previously uncatalogued records called "Cabinet Secretary miscellaneous papers".
It included documents about three MPs - former home secretary Leon Brittan, Sir Peter Morrison and Sir William van Straubenzee - although the contents of those papers is not known.
The supplementary report to the review by Mr Wanless and Mr Whittam includes a written apology from the permanent secretary to the Cabinet Office for the "flaw in the way the Cabinet Office initially responded to your call for a search of departmental papers".
In his assessment of the newly discovered documents, Mr Wanless said that the risk to children was "not considered at all".
Both he and Richard Whittam QC also describe the emergence of the new material as "unhelpful" for public confidence in the proper disclosure of government documents and correspondence.