Rochdale pub named 'best boozer'
A Rochdale pub described as a "traditional boozer" by its owner, which used to be a hardware store has been named the best in Britain.
Young boys 'were victims of abuse' by Sir Cyril Smith
Police say they are "now publicly acknowledging that young boys were victims of physical and sexual abuse committed by Sir Cyril Smith".
Former Liberal MP accused of abusing young boys
Former Liberal MP Sir Cyril Smith was accused of abusing young boys in Rochdale during the 1960s, by Labour MP Simon Danczuk in the Commons
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Police: Dead MP should have been charged with abuse
Greater Manchester Police have said the dead Liberal MP Sir Cyril Smith should have been charged with physically and sexually abusing young boys:
"We are now in a position to say that on three separate occasions, files were passed to first the DPP and then the CPS containing details of abuse committed by Smith, but on each occasion no prosecution was pursued.
Having now reviewed those decisions, we believe that if the same evidence was presented to the CPS today there would have been a very realistic prospect that Smith would have been charged with a number of indecent assaults, and that the case would have been brought to trial.
Clearly that is a bold statement to make but it is absolutely important for those victims who were abused by Smith that we publicly acknowledge the suffering they endured.
Although, Smith cannot be charged or convicted posthumously, from the overwhelming evidence we have it is right and proper we should publicly recognise that young boys were sexually and physically abused and we will offer them as much support as they need should they wish to speak to us.
Case against Cyril Smith 'would have come to trial today'
by Lucy Manning - UK EditorThe Crown Prosecution Service says the decision not to charge former Liberal MP Cyril Smith for indecently assaulting teenagers in 1970 would not be made today.
The CPS says eight teenagers made very similar allegations against Cyril Smith.
There was no prosecution 1970. The CPS reviewed it in 1998 and Smith was told he would not be charged.
Greater Manchester Police is now acknowledging the young boys were victims of abuse by Cyril Smith and three files were passed on, but no prosecutions.
Greater Manchester Police now says if there was the same evidence today on Cyril Smith he would have been charged with a number of indecent assaults and the case would have come to trial.
So, police and the CPS are now admitting three missed opportunities to prosecute Cyril Smith while he was alive and now saying they should have done so.
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Police: Dead Liberal MP Cyril Smith did abuse young boys
Greater Manchester Police, which has assumed the investigation into allegations of sexual abuse made against the dead Liberal MP Sir Cyril Smith has said: "The Force is now publicly acknowledging that young boys were victims of physical and sexual abuse committed by Smith."
Labour MP calls for publication of Cyril Smith files
by Chris Ship - Deputy Political EditorSimon Danczuk MP has called for all the files relating to allegations of child abuse against the former Rochdale MP Sir Cyril Smith to be published.
The Prime Minister said it is matter for police.
Fresh abuse allegations 'will be thoroughly investigated'
Any fresh abuse allegations against Sir Cyril Smith "will be thoroughly investigated," Greater Manchester Police said.
There has been a lot of speculation in the media about whether Greater Manchester Police investigated allegations of sexual abuse involving the late Sir Cyril Smith in the 1980s and 1990s.
We are examining our records to see what involvement Greater Manchester Police may have had. However, we need to be clear that some of these allegations are up to 30-years-old and predate our computerised records, so it will take some time to establish what, if any, the Force's involvement was.
– Assistant Chief Constable Steve HeywoodWhat I can say with clarity is that any fresh complaints that are made will be thoroughly investigated and we will continue to work with our colleagues at Lancashire Police to provide support to any victims who come forward.
Potential victims with a complaint after 1974 are urged to go to their nearest police station to report it, or call the force on 101, or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Police forces to investigate dead Liberal MP abuse claims
Greater Manchester Police will investigate any allegations of sexual abuse involving the former Liberal MP Sir Cyril Smith from 1974 onwards, the force said.
It was confirmed that Lancashire Police would investigate any allegations of abuse before that date.
Following discussions between the Force and our colleagues at Lancashire Police, it has been agreed that Greater Manchester Police will now investigate any allegations of sexual abuse involving the late Sir Cyril Smith that happened from 1974 onwards.
We have taken this step to clear up any confusion that may have existed within the communities of Rochdale, and among the wider public, as to which Force is looking into the allegations.
– Assistant Chief Constable Steve HeywoodThe geographical boundaries were redrawn in 1974. Previously Rochdale was a part of Lancashire Police, but post-1974 it became part of Greater Manchester Police. Therefore, to make it explicitly clear, Greater Manchester Police will now investigate any reports of abuse that happened after 1974, and any abuse that happened before that date will be investigated by Lancashire Police.
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Labour MP's statement to the Commons
Former Liberal MP Sir Cyril Smith was accused of abusing young boys in Rochdale during the 1960s, in a statement by Labour MP Simon Danczuk in the House Commons.
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said they were not planning to investigate the matter as there are no current allegations pending.
It said: "We believe there was an investigation in the late 1960s but as no records are now held it cannot be ascertained whether a file was passed to the Director of Public Prosecutions."
Former Liberal MP accused of abusing young boys
Former Liberal MP Sir Cyril Smith was accused of abusing young boys in Rochdale during the 1960s, by Labour MP Simon Danczuk in the Commons
Read the full storyLib Dems: Fresh claims must be reported to the police
by Chris Ship - Deputy Political EditorSir Cyril Smith was a Liberal MP for Rochdale from 1972-92.
A Liberal Democrat source said all fresh allegations of abuse must be reported to police.
Labour MP calls for police investigation into abuse claims
Labour MP Simon Danczuk told the House of Commons:
We need to make be sure that this type of investigation takes place now and that those victims get a chance to have their voices heard.
He added:
As new victims of abuse in Rochdale come forward to speak of what happened in Cambridge House, Greater Manchester Police should consider re-opening this case and I would call upon the minister to do what all in his powers to bring police files from previous investigations into Smith to light.
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