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Wales child abuse: Government probes politician claim Wales child abuse: Government probes politician claim
(about 1 hour later)
Claims of sexual abuse at north Wales care homes in the 1970s and 80s are being investigated by the government. The government is looking into the way allegations of sexual abuse at north Wales children's homes in the 1970s and '80s were dealt with.
It follows claims by one of the victims he was abused by a leading Thatcher-era Conservative politician. It is also considering claims by a victim that he was abused by a leading Thatcher-era Conservative politician.
The prime minister's spokesman said David Cameron was "taking a close interest in the allegations". A Downing Street spokesman said the allegations needed to be investigated properly and thoroughly.
Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones will meet Wales' children's commissioner, who has called for a new inquiry into the claims, on Tuesday. Welsh First Minister Carwyn Jones will meet Wales' children's commissioner on Tuesday to discuss the case.
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.
However, he added: "We, at the centre, are taking an active interest".
Transparency callTransparency call
But the spokesman declined to say whether the prime minister backed the children's commissioner's call for a new full investigation. The government spokesman declined to say whether the prime minister backed the children's commissioner's call for a new full investigation.
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 children's home in north Wales was published in 2000 by Sir Ronald Waterhouse.
But Steve Messham, one of hundreds who claim they were sexually abused during that period, says it uncovered just a fraction of the assaults.But Steve Messham, one of hundreds who claim they 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.
The commissioner, Keith Towler said Mr Messham's claims had to be taken seriously and the police and other authorities should be given the opportunity to investigate. The commissioner, Keith Towler, said Mr Messham's claims had to be taken seriously and the police and other authorities should be given the opportunity to investigate.
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 trying to establish what the terms of reference were for the Waterhouse abuse inquiry. He said anyone with allegations should report them to the police or the children's commissioner.
"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 said.
He stressed anyone with allegations should report them to the police or the children's commissioner.
Report pulpedReport pulped
The BBC's chief political correspondent Norman Smith says the prime minister has asked officials to look at the initial investigations by the police to examine whether officers responded with sufficient rigour to the claims made.
They will also consider whether Sir Ronald's inquiry established the truth.
Mr Cameron has suggested that if flaws are found, he may order an independent review of both processes, our correspondent added.
North Wales Police said it was also seeking to establish whether there were any allegations that required new or further investigation.North Wales Police said it was also seeking to establish whether there were any allegations that required new or further investigation.
Deputy Chief Constable Ian Shannon said: "We will also be asking the Children's Commissioner for Wales if he has any additional information that may assist us. Clearly the needs of victims and the protection of the public are at the forefront of our minds at this time."
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 children's 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.