Home Secretary 'left with no choice' but to order child abuse investigation, says Simon Danczuk

Simon Danczuk MP

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk says that Home Secretary Theresa May, who has announced a review of historical child sex abuse allegations, was "left with no choice", he says "she had to bend to the will of people power".

Mr Danczuk said: “The Home Secretary was left with no choice today. She had to bend to the will of people power or face the Government being engulfed in a tide of public anger. I am pleased the Government has shifted its position significantly in the last few days and announced a Hillsborough-style inquiry. This is the right thing to do and I welcome the fact that the Home Secretary has recognised the public mood and acted accordingly.

“Of course, the devil will be in the detail and I hope that the inquiry will have powers to hold the intelligence services and special branch to account where investigations into powerful child abusers have been discontinued or blocked. This is where the Home Secretary’s commitment to “maximum transparency” will be tested. I also hope it will give an amnesty for retired and serving officers to give evidence on what they know about establishment paedophiles without fear of losing their pension or other repercussions.

“Since I raised the issue, less than a week ago, of the missing dossier and the need for the Home Office to be held accountable where intelligence relating to child abuse is concerned, I’ve had tremendous support and I’d like to thank everyone who has been in touch to share information. The fact that the Home Secretary is announcing a major inquiry today is largely down to the campaigning efforts of abuse survivors. I’d like to put on record my gratitude for the courage they have shown. I am hopeful that today marks a big step forward in improving child protection services.”

The head of the children's charity NSPCC, Peter Wanless, is to lead a review, which will cover how police and prosecutors handled information given to them, is expected to report within 10 weeks.

A Hillsborough-style inquiry will also be held, led by an independent panel of experts on law and child protection.

This would be wide-ranging and would not report before the next election.