Cyril Smith: Local ‘cover-up’ of sex abuse to be investigated

Cyril Smith

At a press conference to be held this morning (Monday 28 April) at Rochdale Town Hall, representatives from the local and national media are expected to be told that as well as the police continuing to investigate claims of serious sexual abuse by disgraced former MP, Cyril Smith, that the scope of the ongoing investigation by GMP will be widened to examine whether or not there is any evidence of a criminal cover-up by councillors and council officers.

The conference is due to be addressed jointly by Council Leader, Colin Lambert and GMP Chief Constable, Sir Peter Fahey.

Martin Digan, the whistle-blowing former Head of Care at Knowl View school, has been campaigning for years for a full investigation to be held and has described the establishment as being “a sweetshop for paedophiles”. It is believed that up to 25% of the residents, some as young as 8-years-old, were subjected to horrific and sustained physical and sexual abuse after being placed there.

An independent review into Knowl View is due to report its findings to the council later this month. However, it is understood the council is also to announce the widening of its inquiry, currently being undertaken by Andrew Warnock QC, to investigate any evidence of possible involvement in a local cover-up.

Earlier this month, following a Freedom of Information request made to the council by the investigative journalism organisation Exaro, it was revealed that 33 boxes of ‘missing’ files relating to Knowl View had been discovered being held by the council.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/86439/archive-of-33-boxes-of-paperwork-on-special-school-at-the-centre-of-sex-abuse-allegations-against-cyril-smith-discovered

Officers are also looking into allegations that Smith abused boys at the privately run Cambridge House children's care home, which closed in 1965.

Police are examining the recently published book about Smith written by MP Simon Danczuk (Smile for the Camera: The Double Life of Cyril Smith), as well as other sources as part of their inquiries.