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Files on historic child abuse 'can't be found'

A review into how the Home Office handled historic child sex abuse allegations at Westminster in the 1980s has reportedly been unable to uncover any of the crucial missing files that prompted the investigation.

The BBC reports that the so-called 'Dickens Dossier', handed to the Home Office by former Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens, has not been found.

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Civil servants who handled dossier 'not yet come forward'

Labour MP John Mann said he was concerned that civil servants who dealt with a dossier related to child abuse at the time had not come forward to give evidence to NSPCC chief Peter Wanless, because they are forbidden to reveal information about it by the Official Secrets Act.

Mr Mann told BBC Radio 4's Today programme:

"While I understand the file is really a list of names and not much more than that, I've also spoken to a journalist who's still alive today - Don Hale - who was given a list of names, but more importantly a whole series of Home Office minutes of meetings looking into this issue, by the late Barbara Castle.

All those files very quickly - a couple of days after he was given them by Barbara Castle - were seized by the security services and Special Branch.

There are civil servants, maybe retired now, who do know a lot and they have not come forward to Wanless, and that's a problem.

– John Mann, Labour

Files on historic child abuse 'can't be found'

A review into how the Home Office handled historic child sex abuse allegations at Westminster in the 1980s has reportedly been unable to uncover any of the crucial missing files that prompted the investigation.

The BBC reports that the so-called 'Dickens Dossier', handed to the Home Office by former Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens, has not been found.

A source told the Newsnight programme: "They have looked inside and behind every single cupboard in the department, and they have been round them twice, and they have not been able to find any of them."

The Home Office has not commented on the reports but repeated that the review, led by NSPCC chief Peter Wanless, will be published next week.

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May vows to get next abuse inquiry appointment right

Home Secretary Theresa May apologised today for the delays that have plagued the government's inquiry into historical sex abuse.

Since she announced it four months ago, two chairwomen have been appointed only to resign shortly afterwards. But today she vowed to get the next appointment right.

ITV News' Political Correspondent Carl Dinnen reports:

Children’s Society: Abuse probe must have more power

The independent inquiry into historic allegations of child sex abuse must be given more power, the Children's Society has said.

The Government’s announcement today that the inquiry’s work will continue while it takes steps to find a new chair is critical given the delays so far.

It is crucial that this inquiry is given the power it needs to investigate abuse, past and present. This is only possible if it has the authority to compel individuals and organisations to appear and give evidence.

Those who have been abused must be consulted throughout the process to make sure their needs and voices are at its heart. This should include a sensitive and appropriate approach involving children. Victims and survivors must have full confidence in the process and in the chair who leads the inquiry

– Matthew Reed, Chief Executive Children's Society.

More: Theresa May apologies over child abuse probe job

Home Secretary: Wanless report into abuse 'due next week'

A review into how the Home Office dealt with an investigation into child sex abuse allegations between 1979 and 1999 will be published next week, Home Secretary Theresa May announced.

The probe led by NSPCC chief Peter Wanless looked at allegations that the Home Office failed to act on allegations contained in a dossier that former Tory MP Geoffrey Dickens passed to then Home Secretary Leon Brittan in 1983.

The review will be published as a wider inquiry into historical child sex abuse gets under way despite its chairwoman, Fiona Woolf, dramatically resigning on Friday following disclosures about her links to Lord Brittan.

More: Westminster sex inquiry: Key moments so far

Theresa May apologies over child abuse probe job

Credit: PA Wire

The Home Secretary has apologised following the resignation last week of the second chairwoman of the inquiry into historical allegations of child sex abuse.

Thersea May said the first meeting of the panel would be held next Wednesday but told MPs it was "very disappointing" the probe still does not have someone in the top job four months after being created.

In a Commons statement following the dramatic resignation on Friday of Fiona Woolf, Mrs May told MPs that a report by NSPCC chief Peter Wanless, into the way the Home Office dealt with an investigation into child abuse allegations between 1979 and 1999, will be published next week.

Almost four months after I announced my intention to establish a panel inquiry it is obviously very disappointing that we do not yet have a panel chairman and for that I want to tell survivors that I am sorry.

– Thersea May

More: Inquiry chairs 'had links with cover up politicians'

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Home Secretary 'determined' to get to the truth

In a statement to the House of Commons, the Home Secretary has told victims of historic child sex abuse that she is "determined to get to the truth."

ITV News Deputy Political Editor has tweeted:

More: Home Secretary 'apologises' for Fiona Woolf resignation

Politics 'must be taken out' of child abuse inquiry

A Liberal Democrat peer has said there were two prerequisites for the person appointed chairman or woman over an inquiry looking to historic cases of child sex abuse.

Ruling himself out, Lord Carlile told Sky News' Murnaghan programme:

The politics has to be taken out of this.

If the Lord Chief Justice could be persuaded to release a senior judge to do this job I think that would be ideal.

There is no particular reason why it should be a woman but there are, as it happens, seven women who are members of the Court of Appeal, Lady Justices.

– Lord Carlisle
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