Theresa May promises child abuse inquiry with 'maximum transparency'
 |
| Home Secretary Theresa May |
I watched Theresa May's
"statement to the House" on television yesterday, expecting
the announcement of some far reaching inquiry, to delve into the
depths of the secret past (and continuing) activities of some MP's,
Lords and others, active the paedophile network operating in and
around Westminster. An inquiry to expose the extent of and those
involved in the abuse and in the conspiracy to cover up the abuse of
children in care homes, hostels and other institutions in Lancashire,
Wales, London, Kent and numerous other places around the country
including Jersey. What the Home Secretary actually delivered during
her period at the despatch box appears to have been a “marking
time” statement. A speech full of many words, quite a few well worn
clichés, but not much substance. It was as if she were creating a
series of half hearted measures, designed to ensure that the
“investigations”, would trundle on for years and become so full
of intricate detail that people will have forgotten the original
purpose.
There were some elements
which seem to have generally been welcomed. The new review will be
headed by the chief executive of the NSPCC, Peter Wanless, and will
report to the Home Secretary and the Attorney General “within 10
weeks”.
 |
| NSPCC chief executive Peter Wanless |
However the “interim” report may be some 9 months away
with the full report some time thereafter. It is also disturbing to
note that the inquiry team will have the “fullest possible access”
to government papers, including classified documents but only to the
extent where they did not affect “national security.” This will
always arouse a suspicion that the decisions for with holding
documents or other information may be based not on “national
security”, but on self interest or the desire to protect others.
The government in the form
of Home Secretary Theresa May, have missed the opportunity to
demonstrate their determination to breakdown the layers of secrecy
surrounding the extent of child abuse in this country, the continuing
conspiracy to prevent those responsible for both the abuse and the
cover up to be brought to justice and to restore public confidence in
a belief that politicians actually want to expose the scandal.
It is not to late to
establish an “overarching” public inquiry to bring together all
aspects of the investigation. The Home secretary has left an option
“if necessary,” to upgrade the announced inquiry to full
public-inquiry status in line with the Inquiries Act, capable of
requiring witnesses to give evidence. This should not be an option,
but should be the point from which this enquiry actually starts.
Regardless of what some
may wish, exposure of the truth in respect of the abuse and the
dismantling of the conspiracy of cover up will come about. With
yesterdays statement to the House it may take a little longer but
public opinion and outrage make the exposure of those involved, at
all levels of society, the establishment or the aristocracy,
inevitable.
Comments
Post a Comment