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Scouts child abuse claims prompt more to come forward Scouts: '60 further enquiries to sue over child abuse'
(35 minutes later)
Almost 60 people have come forward claiming they were abused as children in the Scouts, lawyers have said. Another 60 people have come forward to enquire about suing the Scouts over alleged historical abuse, lawyers said.
Law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp said it had been contacted by the alleged victims after the BBC reported that more than 50 people had started legal action against the Scout Association. On Wednesday the BBC reported 56 people had instructed lawyers to make claims for compensation against the Scouts since October 2012.
Not all of the 60 new enquiries relate to fresh allegations of abuse. Some claimant's cases may have already been through the criminal legal system.
The association has apologised for any hurt caused by abuse.The association has apologised for any hurt caused by abuse.
Along with individual scoutmasters, it has already paid £897,000 in damages, lawyers for the claimants say. The Scout Association, along with individual scoutmasters has already paid £897,000 in damages, lawyers for the claimants say.
'Deeply sorry''Deeply sorry'
Solicitor David McClenaghan said he had been contacted overnight by people claiming to have been abused. David McClenaghan, a solicitor for law firm Bolt Burdon Kemp, said he had been contacted by people claiming to have been abused.
"I think what that demonstrates is that the figures that have come out really are the tip of the iceberg in terms of the number of people who have suffered abuse," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."I think what that demonstrates is that the figures that have come out really are the tip of the iceberg in terms of the number of people who have suffered abuse," he told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
The Scout Association said on Wednesday it was "deeply sorry" for any abuse carried out in the movement.The Scout Association said on Wednesday it was "deeply sorry" for any abuse carried out in the movement.
But Mr McClenaghan, whose firm Bolt Burdon Kemp has already handled the cases of some 30 alleged victims, said the apology only came after "intense pressure from the media". But Mr McClenaghan, who has already handled the cases of some 30 alleged victims, said the apology only came after "intense pressure from the media".
He told Today: "It's convenient that that has been issued now and it serves their self-interest rather than being a genuine apology to the individual people."He told Today: "It's convenient that that has been issued now and it serves their self-interest rather than being a genuine apology to the individual people."
The association said its failure to report one abuser to police had been an "inappropriate and unacceptable response".The association said its failure to report one abuser to police had been an "inappropriate and unacceptable response".
But it said it was an "extremely rare incidence".But it said it was an "extremely rare incidence".
The association said the safety of young people is its "number one priority", and told the BBC it had been notified of 36 claims since October 2012.The association said the safety of young people is its "number one priority", and told the BBC it had been notified of 36 claims since October 2012.
It said it had only faced 12 other such claims since its formation in 1907.It said it had only faced 12 other such claims since its formation in 1907.
A spokesman added: "As a movement we will always handle any complaints in a sensitive and professional manner and cooperate fully with the prosecuting authorities."A spokesman added: "As a movement we will always handle any complaints in a sensitive and professional manner and cooperate fully with the prosecuting authorities."