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Theresa Villiers says Kincora not to be included in UK abuse inquiry Robinson disappointed Kincora not included in UK abuse inquiry
(about 1 hour later)
Northern Ireland Secretary of State Theresa Villiers has said allegations of abuse at the east Belfast Kincora boys home will not be included in a new UK-wide inquiry into child sex abuse. First Minister Peter Robinson has said he is disappointed a UK-wide inquiry into child sex abuse will not include allegations about Kincora boys home.
Ms Villiers said the best forum to address the allegations was the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry. Secretary of State Theresa Villiers said the Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry was the best forum to address claims about the east Belfast home.
There have been claims that the security services knew about the abuse of boys at the home. There have been claims that security services knew about the abuse there.
Three senior care staff at Kincora Boys home were jailed in 1981. Alliance MP Naomi Long and UUP leader Mike Nesbitt have also voiced disappointment at Ms Villiers' move.
Last month, the assembly backed a motion that said allegations MI5 had been involved in covering up abuse at the Kincora Boys home could not be adequately investigated in any way other than by a Westminster-led UK inquiry. Three senior care staff at the home were jailed in 1981 for abusing 11 boys.
In July, Home Secretary Teresa May announced a UK-wide investigation following claims of a e cover-up over allegations of paedophile activity at Westminster. In July, Home Secretary Teresa May announced a UK-wide investigation following claims of a ecover-up over allegations of paedophile activity at Westminster.
In response, politicians and others called for Kincora to be included in the inquiry. Last month, the Northern Ireland assembly backed a motion that said allegations MI5 had been involved in covering up abuse at the Kincora boys home could not be adequately investigated in any way other than by a Westminster-led UK inquiry.
However, Ms Villiers said the HIA inquiry into institutional abuse being chaired by retired judge Sir Anthony Hart was the "better forum". However, Ms Villiers said on Tuesday that as child protection is a devolved matter, the Historical Institutional Abuse (HIA) Inquiry, currently sitting at Banbridge courthouse, was the better forum to investigate the allegations.
"The protection of children is a devolved matter and legislation was enacted by the Northern Ireland Assembly to establish the inquiry," she said. She said the UK government and its agencies, including the Ministry of Defence and the security service MI5 would give the HIA inquiry "the fullest possible degree of co-operation".
"The inquiry has already received a number of reports relating to allegations of abuse that took place at Kincora. Historical Institutional Abuse Inquiry
"It has wide powers of compulsion under section nine of the act to require persons and bodies to produce evidence, although, respecting the fact that it is a body established by the devolved authorities, those powers do not extend to the UK government.
"The Home Office inquiry panel will have no such powers of compulsion, unless a decision is made to turn it into a statutory inquiry at some point in the future.
"In addition, because the protection of children is a devolved matter, it would clearly be less appropriate for the inquiry panel to make recommendations for Northern Ireland concerning the running of the child protection system there.
"Because the inquiry's powers of compulsion do not extend to the UK government, concern has been expressed as to whether it will be able to deal effectively with the allegations that have been made of misconduct and cover-up regarding the horrific events that occurred at Kincora."
Campaigners have expressed concern that the local inquiry cannot compel witnesses from the UK government.
However, Ms Villiers said the UK government and its agencies, including the Ministry of Defence and the security service MI5 will give the Hart inquiry "the fullest possible degree of co-operation".
The secretary of state said she would "monitor carefully the extent to which the inquiry is able to make progress in respect of material relevant to Kincora".
"We will look at the situation again if the inquiry tells us it is unable to determine the facts," she said.
'Disappointment'
"In the event that this were to occur, there remains the possibility of seeking agreement to bring the Kincora allegations within the terms of reference of the inquiry panel, along with the option of converting it into a statutory inquiry."
The HIA inquiry was first announced in 2010 and was formally set up by Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers on 31 May 2012.The HIA inquiry was first announced in 2010 and was formally set up by Northern Ireland's first and deputy first ministers on 31 May 2012.
It is the biggest public inquiry into child abuse ever in the UK and began its first public hearings in January 2014.It is the biggest public inquiry into child abuse ever in the UK and began its first public hearings in January 2014.
Its aim is to establish if there were "systemic failings by institutions or the state in their duties towards those children in their care" dating from 1922 to 1995.Its aim is to establish if there were "systemic failings by institutions or the state in their duties towards those children in their care" dating from 1922 to 1995.
It will also determine if victims should receive an apology and compensation.It will also determine if victims should receive an apology and compensation.
East Belfast MP Naomi Long said the victims and survivors of Kincora had been "let down" by the decision. 'Seeking clarification'
"Kincora is under the spotlight not just for allegations of abuse but also claims that security services participated in blackmail and cover-ups around it," she said. Mr Robinson said that while the HIA inquiry had the power to compel both people and documents within Northern Ireland, this statutory power did not fully extend to the rest of the UK.
"While the secretary of state is correct in saying the welfare of children is a devolved matter to Northern Ireland, the security services are not." "I welcome this commitment from Her Majesty's Government that there will be the 'fullest possible' co-operation with the inquiry where evidence is required and requested," said the DUP leader.
Ulster Unionist leader Mike Nesbitt expressed "disappointment". "This would give the HIA inquiry the same range of powers in relation to the rest of the UK, as proposed for the inquiry panel.
"I acknowledge the work the secretary of state says she has carried out to ensure all UK government departments and agencies, including the security services, make available to Sir Anthony all relevant documents they hold regarding Kincora," he said. "I will now be seeking clarification from the chairman of the HIA inquiry to ensure he is fully satisfied, given Her Majesty's Government's commitment, that he now has the range of powers and co-operation he requires to carry out a robust and thorough investigation of all the issues in relation to Kincora boys home."
"However, Theresa Villiers' statement also makes clear there is no certainty that Sir Anthony can compel witnesses and that is the critical weakness. Ms Long said the victims and survivors of Kincora had been "let down" by the decision.
"Again, I acknowledge the secretary of state is working with colleagues in government to address that point, but until it is resolved satisfactorily, these proposals have a potentially fatal weakness. That would be a betrayal of the victims." "While the secretary of state is correct in saying the welfare of children is a devolved matter to Northern Ireland, the security services are not," she said.
Mr Nesbitt said the "critical weakness" of Ms Villiers' statement was the lack of certainty that HIA inquiry chairman Sir Anthony Hart had the power to compel witnesses.
"Again, I acknowledge the secretary of state is working with colleagues in government to address that point, but until it is resolved satisfactorily, these proposals have a potentially fatal weakness. That would be a betrayal of the victims," he said.