Sir Cyril Smith abuse 'cover-up' claims probed by police, Downloading child abuse 'manuals' to be made illegal

Sir Cyril Smith abuse 'cover-up' claims probed by police 
27 April 2014

Police are examining whether there is evidence of a criminal cover-up over claims of sexual abuse at a Rochdale school linked to the late Liberal MP Sir Cyril Smith.

Officers are already investigating claims of abuse at Knowl View school but are reviewing whether any evidence points to a cover-up by the council.

Rochdale Council is also set to widen its own inquiry into the allegations.

Sir Cyril's family has said he always denied such accusations.

The development comes after police launched an investigation into allegations Sir Cyril, who died in 2010 aged 82, sexually abused boys at Knowl View residential school, in Rochdale.

The school closed in 1992.

Officers are also looking into claims he abused boys at the privately run Cambridge House children's care home, which closed in 1965....

Allegations about Sir Cyril's conduct were first published in 1979 and also been made in a new book by the current Labour MP for Rochdale, Mr Danczuk.

He claimed Sir Cyril used his position of power to sexually abuse young boys and then escape prosecution.

Mr Danczuk previously said he asked police to re-examine the case after "a number of victims came to see me and raised concerns".

An independent review into the way Knowl View was run is due to report to Rochdale Council next month.... http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-27183369
 
Downloading child abuse 'manuals' to be made illegal 
27 April 2014

Downloading manuals containing guidance about how to groom children for sexual abuse is to become a criminal offence, the government has said.

It is unclear how many documents meant to assist paedophiles exist online or how often they are downloaded.

But the National Crime Agency has found examples during its investigations, which have included advice on grooming victims and evading capture....

Prime Minister David Cameron told the Sunday Times: "It's completely unacceptable that there is a loophole in the law which allows paedophiles to write and distribute these disgusting documents.

"I want to ensure we do everything we can to protect children - and that's why I am making them illegal."

The move came as it emerged that a paedophile teacher drugged and abused up to 60 boys as young as 10 at a private school in London.

US national William Vahey, 64, who taught history and geography at Southbank International School between 2009 and 2013, committed suicide last month as FBI agents closed in.... http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-politics-27177040