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| Version 8 | Version 9 |
|---|---|
| Operation Fernbridge: Norfolk priest Tony McSweeney arrested | Operation Fernbridge: Norfolk priest Tony McSweeney arrested |
| (about 5 hours later) | |
| A Catholic priest has been arrested in connection with alleged child abuse at a London guest house during the early 1980s, his diocese has said. | A Catholic priest has been arrested in connection with alleged child abuse at a London guest house during the early 1980s, his diocese has said. |
| Operation Fernbridge is looking at claims that senior political figures and others sexually abused boys at the Elm Guest House in Barnes. | Operation Fernbridge is looking at claims that senior political figures and others sexually abused boys at the Elm Guest House in Barnes. |
| The Diocese of East Anglia said one of those arrested is 66-year-old priest Tony McSweeney, from Norfolk. | The Diocese of East Anglia said one of those arrested is 66-year-old priest Tony McSweeney, from Norfolk. |
| The other is a 70-year-old man who was arrested in East Sussex. | The other is a 70-year-old man who was arrested in East Sussex. |
| The Metropolitan Police said both men have been released on bail pending further inquiries until April. | The Metropolitan Police said both men have been released on bail pending further inquiries until April. |
| Scotland Yard said the allegations were not connected with current residents of the former guest house, which has been converted into residential flats. | Scotland Yard said the allegations were not connected with current residents of the former guest house, which has been converted into residential flats. |
| It is also investigating links between the guest house and the nearby former Grafton Close children's care-home run that was by Richmond Council. | It is also investigating links between the guest house and the nearby former Grafton Close children's care-home run that was by Richmond Council. |
| The 70-year-old arrested man, from St Leonards-On-Sea, is understood to be John Stingemore, who used to help run Grafton Close, which closed some years ago. | The 70-year-old arrested man, from St Leonards-On-Sea, is understood to be John Stingemore, who used to help run Grafton Close, which closed some years ago. |
| 'Utmost priority' | 'Utmost priority' |
| BBC News home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the police investigation centred on claims that the guest house was used by people to abuse boys from the home. | BBC News home affairs correspondent Danny Shaw said the police investigation centred on claims that the guest house was used by people to abuse boys from the home. |
| The allegations were investigated at the time but resurfaced in October after Labour MP Tom Watson raised the case in Parliament and called for further inquiries. | The allegations were investigated at the time but resurfaced in October after Labour MP Tom Watson raised the case in Parliament and called for further inquiries. |
| Mr Watson had been passed information by journalists working for the investigative news website Exaro. | Mr Watson had been passed information by journalists working for the investigative news website Exaro. |
| Commander Peter Spindler, head of the Metropolitan Police's specialist crime investigations unit, said the "complex multi-agency investigation" was supported by the NSPCC charity, the Child Exploitation and Online Protection Centre and Richmond Social Services. | |
| He said anyone affected by, or with information about, activity in the early 1980s at the guest house or care home should contact the NSPCC or police. | He said anyone affected by, or with information about, activity in the early 1980s at the guest house or care home should contact the NSPCC or police. |
| Fr Mark Hackeson, of the Diocese of East Anglia, said: "The church diocese takes safeguarding of children very seriously and so we will be co-operating fully in any way with the police investigation." | Fr Mark Hackeson, of the Diocese of East Anglia, said: "The church diocese takes safeguarding of children very seriously and so we will be co-operating fully in any way with the police investigation." |
| NSPCC helpline | |
| In a statement, Richmond Council said it considered "the safeguarding of all children and young people as an utmost priority and we take any allegations of abuse very seriously". | In a statement, Richmond Council said it considered "the safeguarding of all children and young people as an utmost priority and we take any allegations of abuse very seriously". |
| A spokesman added: "We are offering our full support and co-operation to the police during their investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time." | A spokesman added: "We are offering our full support and co-operation to the police during their investigation. As the investigation is ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time." |
| The Notre Dame High School in Norwich said Fr McSweeney had voluntarily resigned from its governing body and had no further involvement with the school. | |
| A spokesman said: "It must be stressed that no former or current student or member of staff at Notre Dame High School is involved in this investigation [into events] which allegedly took place in London during the 1970s and 80s." | |
| The NSPCC said its helpline number 0808 800 5000 was staffed by trained counsellors 24 hours a day. People with information could also use the email address help@nspcc.org.uk to contact them. | The NSPCC said its helpline number 0808 800 5000 was staffed by trained counsellors 24 hours a day. People with information could also use the email address help@nspcc.org.uk to contact them. |
| NSPCC helpline director Peter Watt said: "We will assist the police in gathering evidence and supporting those who come forward." |