Child abuse inquiry 'may not have heard key evidence'
A judge who spent three years investigating child abuse in North Wales 'was surprised to be told his inquiry had not heard key evidence.'
Children's Commissioner updates progress
The Children's Commissioner for Wales, Keith Towler, said he's handling 66 separate cases following North Wales abuse scandal.
North Wales abuse: Man's apology over accusing Tory peer
A former resident of Bryn Estyn care home says he wrongly identified the Conservative peer as one of the men who carried out sexual abuse.
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Helpline set up for people affected by north Wales care home abuse
A helpline for anyone who was involved in the alleged abuse of children at care homes in north Wales has been set up.
Anyone with any information or allegations of historic child sexual abuse has been asked to contact the NSPCC:
- By phone: 0800 389 6176
- By text: 88858
- By email: help@nspcc.org.uk
- Online: www.nspcc.org.uk/reportconcern
Calls will be answered by specially trained NSPCC staff, who will listen to what you have to say and treat this in the strictest confidence. With your consent, this information will then be shared with CEOP.
Cameron raises concerns over Wales abuse internet speculation
The Prime Minister has warned of the dangers of a 'witch-hunt' against those suspected of child abuse and appealed for anybody with information to contact the police.
He raised concern about the internet speculation about who might be embroiled in the scandal dating back to the 1970s and 1980s.
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MP calls for care abuse report to be published
Ann Clwyd has called for a pulped report into sex abuse claims at children's homes across North Wales to be published.
The Labour MP said she had read the report commissioned by Clwyd County Council as she called for an over-arching inquiry in the sexual abuse of children.
In a question to Commons Leader Andrew Lansley, Ms Clwyd said:
"Can I ask that the Jillings report be published? I saw it. I wasn't supposed to see it. It was shown to me. I saw it at the time. It was subsequently pulped by the then Clywd County Council because they were afraid of the attitudes of the insurers.
"I would say please get the Jillings report published because it shows buggery, rape, bestiality, violent assaults and torture, and the effects on those young boys at that time cannot be under-estimated."
More details of Waterhouse abuse inquiry review revealed
The terms of reference for the UK Government's review into the Waterhouse inquiry have been published.
It will be led by the High Court Judge, Mrs Justice Macur.
– Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary statementTo review the scope of the Waterhouse inquiry, and whether any specific allegations of child abuse falling within the terms of reference were not investigated by the Inquiry, and to make recommendations to the Secretary of State for Justice and the Secretary of State for Wales.
The ministers said details of how the review will be carried out will be up to Mrs Justice Macur.
She will be supported by the Ministry of Justice and the Wales Office and will be offered "all relevant material" required.
More details of review into Waterhouse abuse inquiry
The terms of reference for the UK Government's review into the Waterhouse inquiry have been published. It'll be led by the High Court Judge, Mrs Justice Macur. In a joint written ministerial statement, the Lord Chancellor and Justice Secretary set out the terms of reference as:
To review the scope of the Waterhouse inquiry, and whether anyspecific allegations of child abuse falling within the terms of referencewere not investigated by the Inquiry, and to make recommendations tothe Secretary of State for Justice and the Secretary of State for Wales.
The ministers say details of how the review will be carried out will be up to Mrs Justice Macur. She'll be supported by the Ministry of Justice and the Wales Office and will be offered 'all relevant material' required.
Head of police investigation into abuse at care homes to meet North Wales Police
The director-general of the National Crime Agency, who is heading a new police investigation into abuse in children's homes in North Wales in the 1970s and 1980s, is expected to meet with North Wales Police today.
Earlier this week, Chief Constable Mark Polin invited Keith Bristow to review the historic police investigations and to investigate any fresh allegations reported to the police into the alleged historic abuse in North Wales care homes.
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Hague offers support for fresh north Wales abuse investigation
William Hague, The former Welsh Secretary who set up the Waterhouse inquiry into abuse at care homes in North Wales, says he fully supports the Home Secretary in ordering inquiries in to the abuse in Welsh care homes.
Speaking to ITV News in India he said: "It is very important that we do everything possible to get to the truth about these matters. If there is anything else to look at, it must be looked at, there must be no stone unturned."
Questions over cost and support for abuse inquiry
Shadow Justice Minister David Hanson wants to know what resources will be available to the top police officer investigating the way abuse allegations were dealt with in the 1970s and 80s. The inquiry is to be led by Keith Bristow, director General of the new National Crime Agency.
But the NCA hasn't yet been formally set up which is why the Delyn MP is asking the Home Secretary to explain what resources will be given to Keith Bristow.
Children's Commissioner speaks on care home claims
The Children's Commissioner for Wales says dozens of people have now contacted his office to say they were victims of abuse at children's homes in Wales.
Keith Towler was speaking to ITV Wales about allegations linking a former government aide to mistreatment at the Bryn Estyn home near Wrexham.
Prime Minister promises swift action on abuse claims
David Cameron said the government "will not hold back" in taking further action if new inquiries into allegations of child sexual abuse in North Wales show that more needs to be done.
– Prime Minister David CameronThe first thing to do is to focus laser-like on the institution itself. The Government has moved very fast to put in place the most rapid possible investigation of the key issue at hand which is: was the Waterhouse inquiry conducted properly; was information withheld; were witnesses not listened to?
I would stress that what I am going to establish here is an independent figure to get rapidly to the truth. If then subsequent action has to be taken we will not hold back in taking it but we shouldn't pre-judge that first piece of work
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