Knowl View investigation should be widened, says Chief Constable

GMP Chief Constable, Sir Peter Fahy

Greater Manchester Police has been assessing allegations of possible corruption involving child abuse at Knowl View Special School and has concluded that a wider investigation is now required - and is considering how that investigation should proceed.

In the meantime, the review into abuse at Knowl View being carried out by Neil Garnham QC for Rochdale Council has been suspended at the request of GMP.

GMP Chief Constable Sir Peter Fahy said: “Greater Manchester Police have been carrying out an assessment into how allegations of child abuse over several decades involving Knowl View care home in Rochdale have been handled.

“That assessment has now reached the stage where we believe a wider investigation is required. Due to the range of local and national bodies involved in the decisions made in the past, the force is now considering how the investigation should be taken forward.

“With this in mind Rochdale Council at the request of GMP has agreed to ask Neil Garnham QC to suspend his independent review until this matter is clarified and he has agreed to do so.”

Linda Fisher, Acting Chief Executive at Rochdale Borough Council said: "In order not to interfere with any potential police investigation we have agreed to temporarily suspend our independent review.

"The council is determined to complete a thorough and transparent examination of the events when it is possible to do so. In the meantime, we await to hear how GMP's wider investigation will proceed.

"We also welcome the announcement by the Home Secretary Theresa May of an independent inquiry to look into historic cases of child sexual abuse."

Katherine Sheldrick of Hempsons solicitors said on behalf of the independent review team of Rochdale Borough Council: "Following a request from Greater Manchester Police and Rochdale Council, Neil Garnham QC has agreed to suspend his independent review into historic child abuse allegations in Rochdale until further notice. We would like to extend our thanks to all those who have assisted the Review to date. We will remain in close contact with GMP and Mr Garnham will resume the Review as soon as he is able."