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| Welsh first minister to face questions on approach to child abuse inquiry | |
| (about 11 hours later) | |
| The Welsh first minister is expected to face questions about allegations that a paedophile ring was operating in north Wales when he appears before the Welsh assembly on Tuesday afternoon. | The Welsh first minister is expected to face questions about allegations that a paedophile ring was operating in north Wales when he appears before the Welsh assembly on Tuesday afternoon. |
| Carwyn Jones is preparing to be questioned about the Labour-led government's approach to the claims at his weekly hour-long first minister's questions session in Cardiff. | Carwyn Jones is preparing to be questioned about the Labour-led government's approach to the claims at his weekly hour-long first minister's questions session in Cardiff. |
| Later in the day, Jones is due to meet the children's commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler, who has called for a full inquiry into claims that establishment figures, including a close ally of Margaret Thatcher, were involved in abuse. | Later in the day, Jones is due to meet the children's commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler, who has called for a full inquiry into claims that establishment figures, including a close ally of Margaret Thatcher, were involved in abuse. |
| Welsh government officials have been instructed by the first minister to look into the terms of reference followed by the Waterhouse inquiry into the abuse centred on children's homes. | Welsh government officials have been instructed by the first minister to look into the terms of reference followed by the Waterhouse inquiry into the abuse centred on children's homes. |
| On Monday, Jones said the Welsh government was taking the claims, made by abuse victim Steve Messham, "very seriously". | On Monday, Jones said the Welsh government was taking the claims, made by abuse victim Steve Messham, "very seriously". |
| He called for victims of abuse who felt their complaints had not been investigated properly to get in touch with north Wales police. | He called for victims of abuse who felt their complaints had not been investigated properly to get in touch with north Wales police. |
| The Waterhouse inquiry was commissioned before devolution began by the then secretary of state for Wales, William Hague. Many of its recommendations were subsequently implemented by the new Welsh government. | The Waterhouse inquiry was commissioned before devolution began by the then secretary of state for Wales, William Hague. Many of its recommendations were subsequently implemented by the new Welsh government. |
| Jones said: "I have asked for urgent advice on the terms of reference of the Waterhouse inquiry at the time when it was set up. | Jones said: "I have asked for urgent advice on the terms of reference of the Waterhouse inquiry at the time when it was set up. |
| "I need to understand fully what was included in those terms of reference and what was excluded. In due course that will enable me to consider, with others, whether any further inquiry might be necessary." | "I need to understand fully what was included in those terms of reference and what was excluded. In due course that will enable me to consider, with others, whether any further inquiry might be necessary." |
| The Welsh secretary, David Jones, is to meet Messham at Westminster on Tuesday afternoon. | The Welsh secretary, David Jones, is to meet Messham at Westminster on Tuesday afternoon. |
| Jones said: "I am grateful that Mr Messham has come forward and I look forward to meeting him." | Jones said: "I am grateful that Mr Messham has come forward and I look forward to meeting him." |
| The secretary of state has already spoken to Towler and will meet him later in the week. | The secretary of state has already spoken to Towler and will meet him later in the week. |
| Plaid Cymru has demanded a new inquiry. Its leader, Leanne Wood, a former probation officer, said: "It is crucial for the victims of this horrific abuse that these allegations are properly investigated. They deserve a full and open hearing. It appears that there is further institutionalised abuse that needs to be exposed, in addition to the scandal that was uncovered and investigated more than a decade ago." | Plaid Cymru has demanded a new inquiry. Its leader, Leanne Wood, a former probation officer, said: "It is crucial for the victims of this horrific abuse that these allegations are properly investigated. They deserve a full and open hearing. It appears that there is further institutionalised abuse that needs to be exposed, in addition to the scandal that was uncovered and investigated more than a decade ago." |
| The Welsh Conservatives agreed the claims should be investigated. Andrew Davies, leader of the Conservative group on the assembly, said: "These are serious allegations which must be thoroughly investigated so the perpetrators of abuse can be brought to justice." | The Welsh Conservatives agreed the claims should be investigated. Andrew Davies, leader of the Conservative group on the assembly, said: "These are serious allegations which must be thoroughly investigated so the perpetrators of abuse can be brought to justice." |