Police "Already Aware" Of Secret File Content

A secret Government file has been opened up to police officers but is not currently forming part of their inquiries into historical child abuse.

The file was unearthed at the National Archives by a university lecturer and highlighted by Sky News earlier this week .

The title suggested it could be relevant to the unfolding abuse scandal;

"PREM19/588 - SECURITY. Allegations against former public (sic) of unnatural sexual proclivities; security aspects' 1980 Oct 27 - 1981 Mar 20."

It was prepared for then Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher but is still closed on grounds of national security and held by the Cabinet Office.

A Met Police spokeswoman told Sky News: "(We) can confirm we have now had sight of the file, the majority of which we were already aware of in terms of content.

"At this time there are no ongoing inquiries by police in relation to the file."

A change.org petition calling for the file to be made public has now been started by campaigner Marilyn Hawes, founder of Enough Abuse UK.

She told Sky News: "Survivors of abuse are owed a better deal than child abuse files known to Margaret Thatcher not to be now made open to the public.

"Those who have suffered the wrong side of this crime were kept silent and not believed and they have little trust left. Now secrecy and silence must stop so we go forward.

"It is this very secrecy which has kept case after case hidden across the UK."

The Home Secretary Theresa May said on Thursday that her department was making checks on the file and promised it would be handed to the child abuse inquiry if deemed relevant.

On Wednesday it emerged that Peter Wanless, Chief Executive of the NSPCC, was unaware of the file despite having conducted a review of Government papers that may be relevant to current investigations.