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| Jillings report confirms 'extensive' abuse at north Wales children's homes | Jillings report confirms 'extensive' abuse at north Wales children's homes |
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| A report into physical and sexual abuse at children's homes that was suppressed for almost 20 years concluded there was "extensive" mistreatment of youngsters over a "substantial" number of years. | A report into physical and sexual abuse at children's homes that was suppressed for almost 20 years concluded there was "extensive" mistreatment of youngsters over a "substantial" number of years. |
| The Jillings report into residential care units in north Wales, which has finally been released, said the lives of many children had been blighted by the abuse they suffered while living at the homes. | The Jillings report into residential care units in north Wales, which has finally been released, said the lives of many children had been blighted by the abuse they suffered while living at the homes. |
| It said the panel that investigated the abuse had considered abandoning its inquiry as it was not sure it had all the material from agencies including police and social services that it needed to see the whole picture. | It said the panel that investigated the abuse had considered abandoning its inquiry as it was not sure it had all the material from agencies including police and social services that it needed to see the whole picture. |
| The report also expressed concern that there was no independent mechanism to investigate serving or former police officers implicated in abuse. | The report also expressed concern that there was no independent mechanism to investigate serving or former police officers implicated in abuse. |
| And it said it had simply not been able to address some areas including the suggestion that public figures had been involved in abuse. | And it said it had simply not been able to address some areas including the suggestion that public figures had been involved in abuse. |
| The now-defunct Clwyd county council commissioned John Jillings in 1994 to investigate allegations of abuse against residents of children's homes in the 1970s and 1980s. | The now-defunct Clwyd county council commissioned John Jillings in 1994 to investigate allegations of abuse against residents of children's homes in the 1970s and 1980s. |
| His report was completed two years later but not published amid fears it could open up the authority to compensation claims. | |
| Calls for it to be published resurfaced last year after the BBC Newsnight report that led to false child abuse allegations against the former Tory treasurer Lord McAlpine. | |
| Following freedom of information requests by the Guardian and others, the successor councils to Clwyd agreed to publish a heavily redacted version of the 300-page Jillings report. | Following freedom of information requests by the Guardian and others, the successor councils to Clwyd agreed to publish a heavily redacted version of the 300-page Jillings report. |
| It made clear that it was limited by a number of "constraining factors", including that it was unclear to what extent material held by North Wales police was available. It also said there was a lack of clarity about the accessibility of some social services files. | It made clear that it was limited by a number of "constraining factors", including that it was unclear to what extent material held by North Wales police was available. It also said there was a lack of clarity about the accessibility of some social services files. |
| But it concluded: "Our investigations have led us to conclude that the abuse of children and young people in Clwyd residential units has been extensive and has taken place over a substantial number of years. | But it concluded: "Our investigations have led us to conclude that the abuse of children and young people in Clwyd residential units has been extensive and has taken place over a substantial number of years. |
| "It's clear in a significant number of cases the lives of young people who have been through the care system in Clwyd have been severely disrupted. At least 12 young people are dead." | "It's clear in a significant number of cases the lives of young people who have been through the care system in Clwyd have been severely disrupted. At least 12 young people are dead." |
| The report said the role of other agencies including North Wales police and the Welsh Office needed "careful and detailed scrutiny". | The report said the role of other agencies including North Wales police and the Welsh Office needed "careful and detailed scrutiny". |
| It expressed concern there was "no mechanism to ensure that independent investigations are conducted of allegations against former and serving police officers". | It expressed concern there was "no mechanism to ensure that independent investigations are conducted of allegations against former and serving police officers". |
| The report added: "Time and time again the responses to indications that children may have been abused has been too little and too late. The criticisms apply not only to Clwyd county council but also to the Welsh Office and North Wales police." | |
| Complaints that there had been a cover-up over Jillings led to an inquiry headed by the late Sir Ronald Waterhouse, which concluded in 2000 that there had been appalling mistreatment at homes over a period of 20 years. | |
| At the time of the McAlpine controversy last year some former victims and politicians came forward to claim that the Waterhouse inquiry had been flawed and demanded that the Jillings report be finally published. | |
| A police investigation ordered by the prime minister, David Cameron, at the height of the McAlpine scandal is under way. So far more than 140 people have told police they were victims of abuse at children's homes across north Wales between 1963 and 1992. | A police investigation ordered by the prime minister, David Cameron, at the height of the McAlpine scandal is under way. So far more than 140 people have told police they were victims of abuse at children's homes across north Wales between 1963 and 1992. |
| Explaining why the Jillings report had been released, the successor councils to Clwyd said: "The north Wales councils recognise that the release of the report may bring distress to those affected by historic abuse and they encourage anyone who is affected by its release to call … if they need support. All councils have and will continue to support anyone affected by abuse." | |
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