Advertisement

Sex Abuse Claims: May To Make Statement

Sex Abuse Claims: May To Make Statement

Home Secretary Theresa May is expected to make a statement in the Commons this afternoon about how the police handled historic allegations of child abuse in Wales.

Prime Minister David Cameron has already ordered an investigation into whether a previous inquiry did its job properly.

The move, announced during a trip to Abu Dhabi, comes after a paedophile victim alleged that an unidentified Conservative Party figure had abused children in social care during the 1970s.

Speaking on the second day of his visit to the region, Mr Cameron said: "These are very, very concerning allegations, they are dreadful allegations. We must get to the bottom of it as quickly as possible on behalf of the victims.

"That is why I have ordered this rapid investigation into the previous inquiry to find out whether there was something wrong with it and make sure the victims are properly listened to.

"The Home Secretary will be speaking to the House of Commons and making sure that the police have the capacity to deal with these allegations and make sure no stone is left unturned in getting to the bottom of these appalling matters."

The alleged victim, Steven Messham, is due to meet Welsh Secretary David Jones today.

Downing Street has said a number of Government departments, including the Home Office and Welsh Office, are "actively looking" into the claims.

The allegations concern abuse at the Bryn Estyn children's home in Wales in the 1970s and 1980s and have emerged 12 years after the Waterhouse Inquiry into the situation.

Mr Messham told BBC's Newsnight that he was taken out of the home and "sold" to men for sexual abuse at a nearby hotel.

He claimed that a senior Tory from the time, who has not been named by the programme, had been involved. The unnamed Conservative has strenuously denied the allegation.

Mr Messham has criticised Sir Ronald Waterhouse's inquiry, arguing that its terms of reference meant he was not able to raise the issue of abuse that had taken place outside the care system.

Mr Cameron's spokesman said earlier on Monday: "It is something that we are looking at actively. The Prime Minister has taken a close interest in the reports and the allegations that have been made.

"We are very clear that those allegations need to be properly investigated and we need to get to the bottom of precisely what happened."

Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones is due to meet Children's Commissioner for Wales Keith Towler to discuss the case.

Mr Jones said he had requested "urgent advice" on the original remit of the Waterhouse Inquiry to help him consider whether a further investigation is needed.

He is also urging any victims of abuse who feel that their cases were not fully investigated to contact the police or children's commissioner.