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MPs, Spies And Clergy Focus Of Abuse Inquiry

The Anglican and Catholic churches and "certain people of public prominence associated with Westminster" will be investigated by the independent abuse inquiry, it has been announced.

Justice Lowell Goddard, who is leading the investigation, also said councils in Lambeth, Nottinghamshire and Rochdale will be examined.

She set out 12 different areas which will come under scrutiny.

Justice Goddard said: "The investigation will focus on high-profile allegations of child sexual abuse involving current or former members of parliament, senior civil servants, government advisers and members of intelligence and security agencies.

"It will consider allegations of cover up and conspiracy and review the adequacy of law enforcement responses to these allegations."

It will also focus on abuse in the Roman Catholic and Anglican churches, she said.

The inquiry was established last year after claims of a high-level cover up of abuse and has been hit by delays after two of the previous chairwomen resigned.

It will be the largest ever public inquiry in Britain and is expected to take up to five years and cost tens of millions of pounds.

Justice Goddard acknowledged the inquiry's task is a difficult one.

She said: "There is no doubt that the task we have set ourselves is ambitious.

"To run 12 investigations in parallel represents an organisational challenge that is unprecedented in a public inquiry in the United Kingdom.

"We are determined to succeed and expect full co-operation of all institutions and individuals who can assist us in our work."

The 12 areas of investigation are:

:: Children in the Care of Lambeth Council

:: Children in the Care of Nottinghamshire Councils

:: Cambridge House, Knowl View and Rochdale Council

:: Child Sexual Abuse in the Anglican Church

:: Child Sexual Abuse in the Roman Catholic Church

:: The Sexual Abuse of Children in Custodial Institutions

:: Child Sexual Abuse in Residential Schools

:: The Internet and Child Sexual Abuse

:: Child Sexual Exploitation by Organised Networks

:: The Protection of Children Outside the United Kingdom

:: Accountability and Reparations for Victims and Survivors

:: Allegations of Child Sexual Abuse linked to Westminster