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Jimmy Savile: pressure grows for full inquiry into historic child abuse
By Robert Mendick, And Eileen Fairweather
The Government is under mounting pressure to hold a comprehensive nationwide inquiry into historic child abuse following the latest disclosures over Jimmy Savile’s prolific sex offending. Almost 120 MPs from all parties have joined forces to call on Theresa May, the Home Secretary, to set up an overarching investigation into a series of cases. It comes as Jeremy Hunt, the Health Secretary, warned that the culture that helped Savile to abuse hundreds of children and adults without being caught still existed. The campaign for a nationwide inquiry has been orchestrated by seven MPs, including Zac Goldsmith, the Conservative backbencher, and Tim Loughton, the former children’s minister, but has snowballed with support from more than a sixth of all MPs. They have written to the Home Secretary to demand an investigation similar to the independent inquiry into the Hillsborough disaster. It would examine failures by police and other authorities to properly investigate a number of high-profile cases. Mr Goldsmith said many cases of child abuse went uninvestigated for far too long. “But we also know that countless questions remain unanswered, and they must be – in full. The Government should establish – and properly resource – an independent inquiry so that a line can be drawn, once and for all.” The Home Office is resisting the demands, however. Norman Baker, the crime prevention minister, said: “There are a number of inquiries taking place into historic child sex-abuse cases, including criminal investigations. It is important we allow these to run their course before taking further action.” On Saturday, Mr Hunt warned that the public and ministers were “kidding ourselves” if they thought victims of abuse now felt emboldened to speak out. A series of damaging reports published last week disclosed the extent of Savile’s abuse. The disc jockey and television presenter sexually assaulted at least 103 sick and mentally ill patients, as well as NHS staff, who ranged in age from just five to 75, across 28 NHS hospitals. Savile is reckoned to be the most prolific sex attacker in recent British history, having assaulted at least 500 victims. Last week’s reports caused widespread revulsion, particularly over claims Savile had sex with dead bodies. Mr Hunt told BBC Radio 4’s Today: “So many of his victims didn’t speak up because they felt he had some absolute power, he was part of the establishment, he had friends in high places, he was a huge celebrity and no one would believe them, and we have to change that. “I think we are kidding ourselves if we think that there aren’t people even today who are frightened of speaking out in those situations, and whilst, of course, we always look at the law, we also have to look at the culture and being better at supporting people who do want to speak out.”
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