State secrecy? Govt media adviser denies D-notices suppressed child abuse claims

Cyril Smith

The chairman of a committee that oversees Britain’s media blackout system has denied claims that state orders were given to withhold child abuse allegations against the late MP Cyril Smith MP.

In his first interview as Chairman of the Defense and Security Media Advisory Committee, Air Vice-Marshal Andrew Vallance said police may have handed fake gagging orders, known as D-notices, to a number of news outlets.

The government D-notices are issued to news editors, demanding they withhold information from the public on national security grounds.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4’s Today program, Valance said “not a shred of evidence” exists that authorized D-notices were issued.  (more...)

State secrecy? Govt media adviser denies D-notices suppressed child abuse claims

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Blackout system not used to suppress MP child abuse claims, says chairman