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Wales child abuse: Government probes politician claim Wales child abuse: Government probes politician claim
(35 minutes later)
Claims of sexual abuse allegedly committed by a leading Thatcher-era Conservative politician are being investigated by the government.Claims of sexual abuse allegedly committed by a leading Thatcher-era Conservative politician are being investigated by the government.
The allegations are centred around child abuse at north Wales care homes in the 1970s and '80s. The allegations are centred around child abuse at north Wales care homes in the 1970s and 80s.
The prime minister's spokesman said David Cameron was "taking a close interest in the allegations".The prime minister's spokesman said David Cameron was "taking a close interest in the allegations".
Meanwhile, First Minister Carwyn Jones will meet Wales' children's commissioner on Tuesday.Meanwhile, First Minister Carwyn Jones will meet Wales' children's commissioner on Tuesday.
The commissioner, Keith Towler, has called for a fresh inquiry into the claims.The commissioner, Keith Towler, has called for a fresh inquiry into the claims.
It is understood the government inquiry involves a number of departments including the Wales Office and the Home Office.It is understood the government inquiry involves a number of departments including the Wales Office and the Home Office.
The government spokesman said the allegations needed to be investigated properly and thoroughly.The government spokesman said the allegations needed to be investigated properly and thoroughly.
However, he added: "We, at the centre, are taking an active interest".However, he added: "We, at the centre, are taking an active interest".
Transparency callTransparency call
A three-year inquiry into the abuse around the Bryn Estyn care home in north Wales was published in 2000 by Sir Ronald Waterhouse.A three-year inquiry into the abuse around the Bryn Estyn care home in north Wales was published in 2000 by Sir Ronald Waterhouse.
But Steve Messham, one of hundreds who were sexually abused during that period, says it uncovered just a fraction of the assaults.But Steve Messham, one of hundreds who were sexually abused during that period, says it uncovered just a fraction of the assaults.
He said he was abused by the Conservative politician.He said he was abused by the Conservative politician.
Mr Towler said Mr Messham's claims had to be taken seriously and the police and other authorities should be given the opportunity to investigate.Mr Towler said Mr Messham's claims had to be taken seriously and the police and other authorities should be given the opportunity to investigate.
He said he would be telling the first minister that he had heard allegations that individuals or the establishment were being protected.He said he would be telling the first minister that he had heard allegations that individuals or the establishment were being protected.
"By today's standards, whenever you look at the allegations that a victim is making, it's always the wrong thing to try to defend an individual or an institution in favour of looking fully at what happened to somebody who suffered abuse," he said."By today's standards, whenever you look at the allegations that a victim is making, it's always the wrong thing to try to defend an individual or an institution in favour of looking fully at what happened to somebody who suffered abuse," he said.
However, the first minister said there needed to be more than one complainant to merit another abuse inquiry.However, the first minister said there needed to be more than one complainant to merit another abuse inquiry.
He said he was urgently trying to establish what the terms of reference were for the Waterhouse abuse inquiry.He said he was urgently trying to establish what the terms of reference were for the Waterhouse abuse inquiry.
Speaking at a press briefing he said: "The key is to ensure that the greatest level of transparency and that's a decision I will be coming to over the course of the next week or two, depending on the nature of the allegations and the extent of the allegations."Speaking at a press briefing he said: "The key is to ensure that the greatest level of transparency and that's a decision I will be coming to over the course of the next week or two, depending on the nature of the allegations and the extent of the allegations."
He stressed that anyone with allegations should report them to the police or the children's commissioner.He stressed that anyone with allegations should report them to the police or the children's commissioner.
Report pulpedReport pulped
In the early 1990s, allegations of the abuse in almost 40 children's homes in Wales started to surface and in March 1994 Clwyd County Council commissioned an independent inquiry into claims of widespread abuse across north Wales.In the early 1990s, allegations of the abuse in almost 40 children's homes in Wales started to surface and in March 1994 Clwyd County Council commissioned an independent inquiry into claims of widespread abuse across north Wales.
But the inquiry's report was never published and the copies were pulped to ensure the local authority was able to maintain its insurance cover.But the inquiry's report was never published and the copies were pulped to ensure the local authority was able to maintain its insurance cover.
In the wake of this, and amid growing public pressure, in 1996 the-then Secretary of State for Wales, William Hague, ordered an inquiry into allegations of hundreds of cases of child abuse in care homes in former county council areas of Clwyd and Gwynedd between 1974 and 1990.In the wake of this, and amid growing public pressure, in 1996 the-then Secretary of State for Wales, William Hague, ordered an inquiry into allegations of hundreds of cases of child abuse in care homes in former county council areas of Clwyd and Gwynedd between 1974 and 1990.
The tribunal, led by Sir Ronald Waterhouse, heard evidence from more than 650 people who had been in care from 1974 and took almost three years to publish its report.The tribunal, led by Sir Ronald Waterhouse, heard evidence from more than 650 people who had been in care from 1974 and took almost three years to publish its report.
Counsel for the inquiry mentioned the existence of a shadowy figure of high public standing, but said that there was no substantial evidence to support the allegations.Counsel for the inquiry mentioned the existence of a shadowy figure of high public standing, but said that there was no substantial evidence to support the allegations.
The Waterhouse Inquiry identified 28 alleged perpetrators but they were never identified in public.The Waterhouse Inquiry identified 28 alleged perpetrators but they were never identified in public.
Anyone with information into these allegations - or who needs support on the issues raised in this article - can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk, or call their local police station by dialling 101.Anyone with information into these allegations - or who needs support on the issues raised in this article - can call the NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email help@nspcc.org.uk, or call their local police station by dialling 101.