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Lord Janner claim investigated by Police Scotland | Lord Janner claim investigated by Police Scotland |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Police in Scotland are understood to be investigating claims Labour peer Lord Janner abused a boy there in the 1970s. | Police in Scotland are understood to be investigating claims Labour peer Lord Janner abused a boy there in the 1970s. |
Det Ch Supt Lesley Boal said Police Scotland officers were investigating a historical complaint - but did not confirm a name. | Det Ch Supt Lesley Boal said Police Scotland officers were investigating a historical complaint - but did not confirm a name. |
Lord Janner was accused of abuse allegations during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s - but was deemed unfit to stand trial in England because of dementia. | Lord Janner was accused of abuse allegations during the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s - but was deemed unfit to stand trial in England because of dementia. |
The former MP has consistently denied all allegations against him. | The former MP has consistently denied all allegations against him. |
BBC home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds said the allegation had first been made in 1991 by a Leicester man who told police that Greville Janner sexually abused him on a string of trips across the UK during the 1970s - including in Scotland. | BBC home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds said the allegation had first been made in 1991 by a Leicester man who told police that Greville Janner sexually abused him on a string of trips across the UK during the 1970s - including in Scotland. |
Police in Leicestershire investigated allegations against the politician - who represented two constituencies in Leicester between 1970 and 1997 - in the 1990s but no charges were brought, he added. | Police in Leicestershire investigated allegations against the politician - who represented two constituencies in Leicester between 1970 and 1997 - in the 1990s but no charges were brought, he added. |
Who is Lord Janner? | Who is Lord Janner? |
Greville Janner was born in Cardiff to a Jewish family in 1928. He served in the Army and studied at Cambridge before becoming a barrister and then QC. | Greville Janner was born in Cardiff to a Jewish family in 1928. He served in the Army and studied at Cambridge before becoming a barrister and then QC. |
He served as Labour MP for Leicester North West and then Leicester West from 1970 until his retirement in 1997, when he was made a life peer. | He served as Labour MP for Leicester North West and then Leicester West from 1970 until his retirement in 1997, when he was made a life peer. |
During his political career, he was involved in advocacy for the Britain's Jewish community and served as president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews | During his political career, he was involved in advocacy for the Britain's Jewish community and served as president of the Board of Deputies of British Jews |
He was a founding partner and chairman of JSB Group Ltd, where he worked between 1990 and 1997, and he was also a non-executive director of Ladbrokes for 11 years. | He was a founding partner and chairman of JSB Group Ltd, where he worked between 1990 and 1997, and he was also a non-executive director of Ladbrokes for 11 years. |
Lord Janner has been the subject of several police investigations, but has never been arrested or charged. In 1991, he made statements in Parliament asserting his innocence after a man claimed he had abused him. | Lord Janner has been the subject of several police investigations, but has never been arrested or charged. In 1991, he made statements in Parliament asserting his innocence after a man claimed he had abused him. |
He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2009. Earlier this year, Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said his condition was "rapidly-worsening". | He was diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease in 2009. Earlier this year, Director of Public Prosecutions Alison Saunders said his condition was "rapidly-worsening". |
Lord Janner, now 86, has been suspended from the Labour Party, but will remain a member of the House of Lords until his death or until he formally retires under reforms passed last year. | Lord Janner, now 86, has been suspended from the Labour Party, but will remain a member of the House of Lords until his death or until he formally retires under reforms passed last year. |
His family have described him as a man of "great integrity", and said he is "entirely innocent of any wrongdoing". | His family have described him as a man of "great integrity", and said he is "entirely innocent of any wrongdoing". |
However Scottish police have reviewed files from the original claim relating to the alleged abuse in Scotland and are now carrying out their own investigation, our correspondent said. | However Scottish police have reviewed files from the original claim relating to the alleged abuse in Scotland and are now carrying out their own investigation, our correspondent said. |
"Because Scotland has a separate and independent prosecutor, it would be able to make its own decision about whether to charge Lord Janner," he added. | "Because Scotland has a separate and independent prosecutor, it would be able to make its own decision about whether to charge Lord Janner," he added. |
Historic complaint | Historic complaint |
In a statement, the force said: "Police Scotland is conducting an investigation into an historic complaint and as such it would be inappropriate to comment. | In a statement, the force said: "Police Scotland is conducting an investigation into an historic complaint and as such it would be inappropriate to comment. |
"Police Scotland is absolutely committed to bringing perpetrators of abuse to justice regardless of the passage of time." | "Police Scotland is absolutely committed to bringing perpetrators of abuse to justice regardless of the passage of time." |
An NSPCC Scotland spokeswoman said: "When victims of child abuse come forward their voices must be heard. | |
"Police Scotland, the Crown Office and procurator fiscal must carry out a full investigation into any allegations concerning Lord Janner in Scotland and explore all mechanisms available within the Scottish legal system to ensure justice is served." | |
In April, the Director of Public Prosecutions in England and Wales, Alison Saunders, decided allegations against the peer by nine men were strong enough to merit a prosecution. | In April, the Director of Public Prosecutions in England and Wales, Alison Saunders, decided allegations against the peer by nine men were strong enough to merit a prosecution. |
However, she said the prosecution should not go ahead because Lord Janner would to be unable to take part in his defence due to his poor health. | However, she said the prosecution should not go ahead because Lord Janner would to be unable to take part in his defence due to his poor health. |
Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service, covering England and Wales, said it would review the decision. A senior prosecutor unconnected to the original case will carry out the review. | Last month, the Crown Prosecution Service, covering England and Wales, said it would review the decision. A senior prosecutor unconnected to the original case will carry out the review. |
Justice Lowell Goddard - who is leading an independent inquiry into child sex abuse in England and Wales - has also said she will investigate claims against Lord Janner. | Justice Lowell Goddard - who is leading an independent inquiry into child sex abuse in England and Wales - has also said she will investigate claims against Lord Janner. |
A separate inquiry was announced last month into historical abuse of children in care in Scotland. It will be chaired by leading QC Susan O'Brien. | A separate inquiry was announced last month into historical abuse of children in care in Scotland. It will be chaired by leading QC Susan O'Brien. |