Backing for MP who linked Brittan to sex claims in Commons

Lord Brittan, home secretary under Margaret Thatcher
in the 1980s, was accused of child abuse in a
Commons debate

A Labour MP who accused former Home Secretary Leon Brittan of ‘improper conduct with children’ was last night defended by a colleague.

Jim Hood used a Commons debate on the 1984/5 miners’ strike on Tuesday to suggest that those who took part in the industrial action will not be ‘surprised’ by the allegations against Lord Brittan.

The remarks – protected from slander and contempt of court laws by parliamentary privilege – were branded ‘disgusting’ by business minister Matthew Hancock.

But Simon Danczuk, a campaigner against VIP child abuse, said Mr Hood was right to speak out.

The Labour MP for Rochdale added: ‘He has the right to use parliamentary privilege like any other MP.’

Mr Danczuk helped expose the extent of child abuse perpetrated by former Liberal MP Cyril Smith in a book earlier this year.

Mr Hood’s remarks came amid calls for the head of the official inquiry into historic child sex abuse to resign over links to Lord Brittan.  (more...)

Backing for MP who linked Brittan to sex claims in Commons

An E for Effort:

Home Office helped rewrite child abuse probe boss's letter 7 times over links to Brittan

And Enough:

Child abuse victims unite to demand inquiry chair Fiona Woolf resigns over links to Tory peer Lord Brittan

And an F for police forces:

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