Cyril Smith 'protected by a high-level Westminster paedophile ring' claims MP, Police told of 'at least' 11 more suspects, New Pa. laws redefine who must report child abuse

- Cyril Smith 'protected by a high-level Westminster paedophile ring' claims MP
- Children as young as EIGHT were abused at school linked to paedophile MP Cyril Smith
- Cyril Smith sex abuse scandal: Police told of 'at least' 11 more suspects
- New Pa. laws redefine who must report child abuse

Cyril Smith 'protected by a high-level Westminster paedophile ring' claims MP
Apr 16, 2014  By James Lyons

Labour’s Simon Danzcuk - who exposed Smith - claimed the Liberal grandee was part of an “informal” network of perverts who stalked the corridors of power

Child abuser Cyril Smith was protected by a high-level Westminster paedophile ring, the MP who exposed him claimed. Labour’s Simon Danzcuk said the Liberal grandee was part of an “informal” network of perverts who stalked the corridors of power.

He said: “Had he been prosecuted, then the house of cards would have fallen, in terms of that paedophile network, and it could have brought the government down.“Once he became a member of Parliament in 1972, I think he joined an, obviously informal, network of paedophiles that existed in and around Westminster.”

The claims came as fresh doubt was cast in Nick Clegg’s instance that no Liberal Democrats knew about Smith’s activities.Police have said Smith attended Elm Guest House in South West London, where underage rent boys and youngsters from a children’s home were reportedly brought to have sex with adult men.

Other high profile figures are said to have been visitors including senior MPs, a high-ranking policeman and an MI5 officer....
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cyril-smith-child-abuse-mp-3421467

Children as young as EIGHT were abused at school linked to paedophile MP Cyril Smith
Apr 14, 2014  By Paul Byrne, Luke Traynor

Martin Digan, ex-head of care at the residential school at the centre of the revelations, said it became 'a sweet shop for abusers'

Children as young as eight were abused at a school linked to paedophile Lib Dem MP Cyril Smith, the Mirror can reveal today. Whistleblower Martin Digan, ex-head of care at the residential school at the centre of the revelations, told the Mirror it was a “sweet shop” for abusers.

Secret files have been found that detail appalling depravity at the Knowl View unit for disturbed youngsters in Rochdale, where Smith was a governor. Police have identified 11 other suspects.
Mr Digan said: “It is about time his sordid past was fully exposed, together with the shocking events that happened at Knowl View. I’m glad it is out but I’m sickened it has taken so long.”

The shocking details have come to light as the Liberal Democrats are threatened with legal action by Smith’s victims. They will seek damages if it can be proved senior party officials knew of his crimes – but failed to stop him....
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/children-young-eight-were-abused-3414779

Cyril Smith sex abuse scandal: Police told of 'at least' 11 more suspects
Apr 12, 2014     By Neal Keeling

Police investigating the sexual abuse of children by former MP Cyril Smith have been told of ‘at least’ 11 other suspects, the Manchester Evening News has revealed. Seven alleged victims have given officers the names of men they say were behind the abuse linked to Knowl View School in  Rochdale  where Smith was chairman of the governors in its final year.

Next month a report is due to be published by barrister, Andrew Warnock QC, who was instructed by Rochdale council in January to ‘independently review all council decision-making’ related to the former special school in Bamford from the late 80s to mid 90s.

At least a dozen boys are said to have been victims of sexual abuse during that time and police are now sifting through 33 boxes of previously undiscovered archive material relating to the school.

Some of the suspects named by the victims may have died, but all had links to Knowl View.Det Insp Caroline Ward said: “Following the publicity surrounding Sir Cyril Smith last year, seven people came forward to report physical and sexual abuse which occurred at Knowl View from the 1970s onwards....

Knowl View was shut in 1994 after a dossier detailing abuse was handed to police. Whistleblower, and former head of care at the school, Martin Digan, said he feared Smith was among those abusing boys and he verbally reported his suspicions to police and the council.

Smith was investigated twice in the 70s and 90s but never prosecuted and it wasn’t until 2012 that police admitted he had abused children....
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/uk-news/cyril-smith-sex-abuse-scandal-3403214

New Pa. laws redefine who must report child abuse
By MOLLIE DURKIN 04/16/2014

Pennsylvania has clarified its definition of who is required to report suspected child abuse.

Gov. Tom Corbett Tuesday signed into law four pieces of legislation that, in short, expand the definition of mandatory reporters, streamline the reporting process, increase penalties for mandatory reporters who fail to do so and provide protections from employment discrimination for filing a report in good faith.

The legislation happened to be signed in April, which is Child Abuse Prevention Month.

The new law: Effective Dec. 31, the new definition of a mandatory reporter includes anyone who comes in contact, or interacts, with a child or is directly responsible for the care, supervision, guidance or training of a child.
http://www.yorkdispatch.com/breaking/ci_25581205/new-pa-laws-redefine-who-must-report-child