North Wales police 'handed dozens of pictures of abuse'

The National Crime Agency (NCA) will lead an investigation into fresh allegations of abuse in children's homes in North Wales amid claims that a senior Tory was among the perpetrators, Home Secretary Theresa May announced earlier today.

Director general of the NCA Keith Bristow will review the original police handling of the case - which dates back to the 1970s and 1980s - as well as looking at the latest allegations by one of the victims.

Another inquiry will investigate the original inquiry into the abuse, the Waterhouse Inquiry, which received evidence from 259 people in Clwyd and Gwynedd between 1996 and 2000.

The inquiries come as Steve Messham, who says he was abused by a high ranking member of the Conservative Party, told ITV News that he stole "dozens and dozens" of photographs of abuse from the home of a paedophile, and handed them to North Wales police.

Mr Messham told UK Editor Lucy Manning that despite evidence of abuse, North Wales police failed to take action against most of the men involved. He said:

More alleged victims have come forward to ITV News to talk about their ordeals. Alan Leyhon said he was taken from the home by a "network of powerful men" that passed victims around to other schools. He said:

Prime Minister David Cameron said he would make sure "no stone is left unturned" in the inquiry to ensure the allegations are "looked into as soon as possible." He said:

One of the alleged victims, Neil Osborne, said too many of perpetrators never had to face up to their crimes. He said:

Libby Wiener reports:

Meanwhile, a former resident of the home claimed that he saw former Conservative MP Sir Peter Morrison - a one-time aide to Margaret Thatcher who died in 1995 - at the home on several occasions.

The former care home resident, who was not identified, told Channel Four News that, while he did not know who the man was at the time, he now recognises him.