Inquiry Into Cyril Smith Sex Abuse 'Cover-Up'

An independent inquiry will investigate claims of a cover-up of the alleged sexual abuse of children at Rochdale schools by Sir Cyril Smith.

It will examine allegations of sexual and physical abuse of boys under the age of 18 by the 29-stone politician between 1961 and 1995.

It will also look at whether there was a culture at the council that “tolerated, facilitated or promoted” the alleged abuse.

Announcing the review, Rochdale council leader Colin Lambert said the QC appointed to head the review would investigate whether council staff or members did anything to stop the alleged assaults being “prevented” or “exposed”.

Police said as many as 11 new suspects and a number of new victims had been identified in the course of the ongoing investigations into sexual abuse at the Knowl View residential school.

Sir Peter Fahy, chief constable of Greater Manchester Police, said officers were also looking at whether there was a case of a criminal cover-up and urged further victims or witnesses to come forward.

The announcements follow information contained in a newly published book by the Labour MP Simon Danczuk, who now has the Rochdale seat the late Lib Dem MP used to hold.

In the book, Mr Danczuk claims police repeatedly investigated sex abuse allegations against Smith, a former Labour councillor in Rochdale who served as an MP from 1972-92.

He said attempts to prosecute Smith were blocked and police officers threatened with the sack in corruption that could be traced back to the “very top of the establishment” despite 144 complaints by victims.

Mr Danczuk told Sky News: “Everyone has known for 20 years that there has been a cover-up.”

He said it was time arrests were made.

Earlier this month, the Liberal Democrats denounced Smith, who died aged 82 in 2010, as “repugnant” but claimed they knew nothing of the allegations.

The party has come under increasing pressure over the matter from those who say the accusations against Smith were so widely known it is a “nonsense” to suggest no one knew about it.

Smith’s family has always denied the allegations against him, details of which were first published in 1979.

Mr Lambert said he expected the review by Neil Garnham, which will also look at whether any culture at the council continued after 1995, would be completed by the end of July.

The council had previously announced an independent inquiry into the allegations, however, Mr Lambert said it was clear this now needed to be widened.

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Inquiry Into Cyril Smith Sex Abuse 'Cover-Up'