Momentum Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton extend "deepest apologies" to Knowl View victims and call on Richard Farnell to resign

Momentum

The members of Momemtum Rochdale, Heywood and Middleton have issed an apology to the victims of abuse at Knowl View School.

The group, members of the local Labour Party, issued the apology following closing remarks at the government inquiry examining the allegations and considering the extent to which institutional failings may have allowed the sexual abuse and exploitation of vulnerable children at Cambridge House, Knowl View and elsewhere in Rochdale to take place.

The statement from the group reads...

"The Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse concluded* today with the victims' counsel summing up that 'Mr Farnell did not give truthful evidence' and 'if he did not know, he must have been wilfully blind... which suggests a cover up at the level of leadership of the Borough Council'.

"Counsel's conclusion was that 'it is deeply regrettable that no politician sees fit to apologise to the victims of Knowl View. They should be held personally responsible'.

"We fully agree with this conclusion and the victims' call for the resignation of Richard Farnell as Leader of Rochdale Council.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/113543/knowl-view-victims-say-councillor-richard-farnell-not-fit-to-be-leader-of-the-council

"As current Labour Party members from the Borough of Rochdale, we send our deepest apologies to the victims."

Following the closing remarks at the Inquiry, Councillor Farnell said: "I refute the closing remarks at the inquiry today.

"It is important that we never forget what happened to the young people who have been so deeply affected by this but were still willing to share what happened to them. It is important that everyone now allows the national inquiry (IICSA) to complete its work and we await its outcome.”

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/113578/rochdale-inquiry-councillor-richard-farnell-accused-of-complete-abdication-of-leadership-and-responsibility-and-an-extraordinary-dereliction-of-duty-by-victims-counsel-at-the-inquiry-into-sexual-abuse-and-exploitation-at-knowl-view-school

* The inquiry has not concluded.