This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-20251939

The article has changed 15 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
David Cameron warns of 'witch-hunt' over child abuse claims David Cameron warns of 'gay witch-hunt' over child abuse claims
(about 3 hours later)
David Cameron fears a "witch-hunt" against gay people as a result of child abuse allegations circulating online. David Cameron fears a "witch-hunt" against gay people by those commenting online about child abuse allegations.
The prime minister made his comment after being unexpectedly handed a list of names on ITV1's This Morning, which the presenter said were being mentioned online as paedophiles. The prime minister made his comment after being unexpectedly handed a list of names of people on ITV1's This Morning, who the presenter said were being mentioned online as paedophiles.
The PM, who did not look at the names, said anyone with any information about paedophiles should go to the police.The PM, who did not look at the names, said anyone with any information about paedophiles should go to the police.
He was addressing historic claims of a paedophile ring linked to No 10.He was addressing historic claims of a paedophile ring linked to No 10.
The issue was raised by Labour MP Tom Watson in the Commons a fortnight ago.The issue was raised by Labour MP Tom Watson in the Commons a fortnight ago.
There have also since been claims by a victim that an unnamed prominent Conservative politician from the Thatcher era was involved in abuse in north Wales. There have also since been claims by a victim that an unnamed, prominent Conservative politician from the Thatcher era was involved in abuse in north Wales.
Presenter Phillip Schofield told the prime minister that there were lots of allegations circulating online about people who might have carried out abuse. This Morning presenter Phillip Schofield told the prime minister that there were lots of allegations circulating online about people who might have carried out abuse.
Online gossip 'Online gossip'
Mr Cameron said that he had heard "all sorts of names being bandied around".Mr Cameron said that he had heard "all sorts of names being bandied around".
During the live interview, the presenter handed the PM a card with the names on it, saying that they were people Mr Cameron knew and asking whether he would be talking to them. BBC political editor Nick Robinson has been told by the PM's aides that he is disgusted that old online gossip about some politicians covering up the fact they are gay was now being associated with the serious crime of being a paedophile.
During the live interview, the presenter handed the PM a card with a list of names on it, saying that they were people Mr Cameron knew and asking whether he would be talking to them.
Mr Cameron replied with a warning: "There is a danger, if we're not careful, that this could turn into a sort of witch-hunt, particularly against people who are gay and I'm worried about the sort of thing you are doing right now - giving me a list of names that you've taken off the internet."Mr Cameron replied with a warning: "There is a danger, if we're not careful, that this could turn into a sort of witch-hunt, particularly against people who are gay and I'm worried about the sort of thing you are doing right now - giving me a list of names that you've taken off the internet."
Mr Cameron said that if anyone had any information about anyone who was a paedophile "no matter how high up in British society they are - that's what the police are for".Mr Cameron said that if anyone had any information about anyone who was a paedophile "no matter how high up in British society they are - that's what the police are for".
Downing Street sources said Mr Cameron's fears about a "witch-hunt" were prompted by his objection to online gossip associating homosexuality with paedophilia.
A senior aide to the prime minister said blameless people who were not connected to any child abuse investigations currently being carried out were being targeted by online gossip.A senior aide to the prime minister said blameless people who were not connected to any child abuse investigations currently being carried out were being targeted by online gossip.
It was "important allegations are handled properly - and people's reputations are not unnecessarily smeared", added the source.It was "important allegations are handled properly - and people's reputations are not unnecessarily smeared", added the source.
A string of official inquiries have been launched into child abuse allegations since revelations about the activities of BBC television star Jimmy Savile. A No 10 source also described the decision to hand Mr Cameron the list of names as a "silly stunt" and "irresponsible".
Mr Schofield, who first rose to fame on children's TV, later apologised if the names on the card could be seen by viewers because of a "misjudged camera angle".
"If any viewer was able to identify anyone listed, I would like to apologise and stress that was never my intention. I was not accusing anyone of anything and it is essential that it is understood that I would never be part of any kind of witch-hunt."
Over-arching inquiry
A string of official inquiries have been launched into child abuse allegations since revelations about the activities of former BBC television star Jimmy Savile.
Earlier this week, Home Secretary Theresa May announced a new police inquiry into allegations of child abuse in north Wales in the 1970s and 1980s.Earlier this week, Home Secretary Theresa May announced a new police inquiry into allegations of child abuse in north Wales in the 1970s and 1980s.
Separately, Mrs Justice Macur will investigate the terms of the Waterhouse abuse inquiry, which began in 1996.Separately, Mrs Justice Macur will investigate the terms of the Waterhouse abuse inquiry, which began in 1996.
The Conservative Party has confirmed it is investigating reports linking one of Margaret Thatcher's former close aides to the allegations.The Conservative Party has confirmed it is investigating reports linking one of Margaret Thatcher's former close aides to the allegations.
Asked about Labour's call for a single over-arching inquiry, Mr Cameron said: "The idea that if you had one mega-inquiry that you would speed everything up, I'm not sure is true.
"I don't rule out taking further steps. I want the government to be absolutely on top of this. I don't want anything to be covered up, I don't want any information to be held back, if there are more things we have to do, we will do them."
Child protection charity the NSPCC has called on the government to commit to an over-arching "lessons learned" review to pull together the findings from all the current inquiries into child abuse, once they are completed.Child protection charity the NSPCC has called on the government to commit to an over-arching "lessons learned" review to pull together the findings from all the current inquiries into child abuse, once they are completed.