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Wales child abuse: Tory aide claims investigated Wales child abuse: Tory aide claims investigated
(35 minutes later)
The Conservative Party says it will ensure there is a full investigation into claims one of Margaret Thatcher's aides was involved in child abuse.The Conservative Party says it will ensure there is a full investigation into claims one of Margaret Thatcher's aides was involved in child abuse.
A former resident has alleged that Sir Peter Morrison, who died in 1995, visited the Bryn Estyn children's home on several occasions.A former resident has alleged that Sir Peter Morrison, who died in 1995, visited the Bryn Estyn children's home on several occasions.
The home is at the centre of allegations of child abuse in north Wales during the 1970s and 1980s.The home is at the centre of allegations of child abuse in north Wales during the 1970s and 1980s.
The home secretary has launched a new police inquiry into the allegations.The home secretary has launched a new police inquiry into the allegations.
The crime agency head, Keith Bristow, will look at how the historic claims were handled, and at fresh allegations. He will report by April 2013, Theresa May told MPs.The crime agency head, Keith Bristow, will look at how the historic claims were handled, and at fresh allegations. He will report by April 2013, Theresa May told MPs.
The Serious and Organised Crime Agency and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre will also be involved.The Serious and Organised Crime Agency and the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre will also be involved.
'Fresh allegations'
On Tuesday, Channel 4 News broadcast an allegation from an unnamed former resident of Bryn Estyn that he had seen the late Sir Peter Morrison - a former close aide to Mrs Thatcher - visit the care home and drive away with one of the boys living there.On Tuesday, Channel 4 News broadcast an allegation from an unnamed former resident of Bryn Estyn that he had seen the late Sir Peter Morrison - a former close aide to Mrs Thatcher - visit the care home and drive away with one of the boys living there.
A spokesman for Conservative Central Office later responded by saying: "We will do everything in our power to ensure these serious allegations are investigated fully."A spokesman for Conservative Central Office later responded by saying: "We will do everything in our power to ensure these serious allegations are investigated fully."
Sir Peter, who was MP for Chester from 1974 to 1992, died in 1995.Sir Peter, who was MP for Chester from 1974 to 1992, died in 1995.
Inquiry Meanwhile, the children's commissioner for Wales said his office had received 38 calls since a victim of the abuse, Steve Messham, spoke out last week.
Keith Towler said some of the calls were from people who "wanted to make fresh allegations" of abuse.
"We're taking calls from anywhere and everywhere," said Mr Towler.
Some of the calls were directly related either to the Waterhouse inquiry or to abuse in children's homes dating back to the 1970s and 1980s, he said.
"Other people are raising other issues related to other matters - you will appreciate I cannot go into the detail of that," he added.
The alleged abuse centring on children's homes in north Wales - and specifically the Bryn Estyn home at Wrexham - began to emerge in the 1990s.The alleged abuse centring on children's homes in north Wales - and specifically the Bryn Estyn home at Wrexham - began to emerge in the 1990s.
'Fraction of abuse'
North Wales Police investigated the claims in 1991 and of eight prosecutions, seven former care workers were convicted.North Wales Police investigated the claims in 1991 and of eight prosecutions, seven former care workers were convicted.
But it was widely believed that the abuse was on a far greater scale, prompting the setting up of a public inquiry in 1996 which was headed by Sir Ronald Waterhouse and heard evidence from 650 people.But it was widely believed that the abuse was on a far greater scale, prompting the setting up of a public inquiry in 1996 which was headed by Sir Ronald Waterhouse and heard evidence from 650 people.
After the report was published in 2000, there were 140 compensation claims settled on behalf of the victims, and numerous recommendations about children in care homes.After the report was published in 2000, there were 140 compensation claims settled on behalf of the victims, and numerous recommendations about children in care homes.
The allegations were highlighted again last week when victim Steve Messham said the inquiry in 1996 had uncovered only a fraction of the abuse. The allegations were highlighted again last week when Mr Messham told BBC's Newsnight that the inquiry in 1996 had uncovered only a fraction of the abuse.
It has raised concerns that the remit of the inquiry was too narrow, and that it failed to consider allegations about children being taken out of the homes to be made available to abusers.It has raised concerns that the remit of the inquiry was too narrow, and that it failed to consider allegations about children being taken out of the homes to be made available to abusers.