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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Knowl View: Rochdale leader 'not wise' to return during investigation | Knowl View: Rochdale leader 'not wise' to return during investigation |
| (about 17 hours later) | |
| Rochdale Council's new leader should not have taken up the role while an investigation into sexual abuse at a school for vulnerable boys takes place, a local MP has said. | Rochdale Council's new leader should not have taken up the role while an investigation into sexual abuse at a school for vulnerable boys takes place, a local MP has said. |
| The council is looking into abuse at Knowl View School in the early 1990s. | The council is looking into abuse at Knowl View School in the early 1990s. |
| Richard Farnell, who was reinstalled as leader recently, was council leader then and has denied knowing about it. | |
| Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin said it was "not wise" for him to be leader while the review takes place. | Heywood and Middleton MP Jim Dobbin said it was "not wise" for him to be leader while the review takes place. |
| The council investigation, which is being run separately to a police investigation into the alleged abuse, is investigating whether the authority could have done more. | The council investigation, which is being run separately to a police investigation into the alleged abuse, is investigating whether the authority could have done more. |
| Knowl View School was a residential school for vulnerable boys. At various points Cyril Smith, the late MP for Rochdale who has been accused of abusing boys, was a governor. | Knowl View School was a residential school for vulnerable boys. At various points Cyril Smith, the late MP for Rochdale who has been accused of abusing boys, was a governor. |
| 'Back seat' | 'Back seat' |
| Mr Farnell, who led the council in the late 80s and early 90s, was reinstalled on Wednesday, after ousting previous leader Colin Lambert at a Labour group meeting on Monday. | Mr Farnell, who led the council in the late 80s and early 90s, was reinstalled on Wednesday, after ousting previous leader Colin Lambert at a Labour group meeting on Monday. |
| He said he was "appalled that some people are attempting to use the serious abuse at Knowl View as a political football to try and smear me". | He said he was "appalled that some people are attempting to use the serious abuse at Knowl View as a political football to try and smear me". |
| "Although it is 22 years since I was last leader of the council, I am sure that allegations surrounding Knowl View made to health and council staff during the seven months towards the end of my leadership were not brought to my attention. | "Although it is 22 years since I was last leader of the council, I am sure that allegations surrounding Knowl View made to health and council staff during the seven months towards the end of my leadership were not brought to my attention. |
| "The inquiry should be allowed to get on with its job without interference from politicians." | "The inquiry should be allowed to get on with its job without interference from politicians." |
| He added that "until such time as the review is finalised I am legally advised that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further". | He added that "until such time as the review is finalised I am legally advised that it would be inappropriate for me to comment further". |
| Mr Dobbin, who served as Mr Farnell's deputy for a period in his first term as leader, said he thought Mr Farnell's reinstatement was "a bad move". | Mr Dobbin, who served as Mr Farnell's deputy for a period in his first term as leader, said he thought Mr Farnell's reinstatement was "a bad move". |
| "Because Richard was leader of the council at the time that these accusations were made - even though he may well have known not known anything about it - I think it is wrong for him to be taking up the leadership at this particular time." | "Because Richard was leader of the council at the time that these accusations were made - even though he may well have known not known anything about it - I think it is wrong for him to be taking up the leadership at this particular time." |
| He said it would have been "more sensible to take a back seat at this stage". | He said it would have been "more sensible to take a back seat at this stage". |
| Mr Dobbin claimed that he had known "nothing at all" about the allegations during his time as Mr Farnell's deputy. | Mr Dobbin claimed that he had known "nothing at all" about the allegations during his time as Mr Farnell's deputy. |
| The independent inquiry into the role of Rochdale Council is due to report at the end of July. | The independent inquiry into the role of Rochdale Council is due to report at the end of July. |