Child abuse inquiry to examine claims John Major’s government failed to act

The inquiry has been told claims of rape and sexual grooming of pupils at Knowl View
school were sent to Gillian Shephard’s office.

The independent inquiry into the apparent failure of politicians and public bodies to investigate historical sex abuse will examine allegations that John Major’s government failed to act when it was informed of widespread abuse at a children’s home frequented by the late paedophile MP Cyril Smith.

The inquiry has been told that in 1995, detailed claims of rape and sexual grooming of pupils at Knowl View school were sent to the office of Gillian Shephard, the then education secretary.

But instead of intervening, senior civil servants referred the dossier back to the council, the Guardian has learned. Shephard, who is now a baroness, confirmed that her office received the file but insists she knew nothing about it.

Paperwork from the Department for Education about the dossier has been passed on to the Home Office institutional abuse enquiry, headed by Fiona Woolf. She is examining allegations that figures in Westminster and Whitehall were implicated in the failure to protect children.  (more...)

Child abuse inquiry to examine claims John Major’s government failed to act

Related:

John Major Government ignored files documenting Knowl View abuse