UNITED KINGDOM
The Guardian
Jamie Grierson and Josh Halliday
Tuesday 15 September 2015
Detectives investigating historical child abuse allegations should not indulge “narcissists and fantasists”, a former director of public prosecutions has warned, as pressure mounts on Scotland Yard over its inquiry into high-profile paedophiles.
Lord Ken Macdonald QC said police must conduct “impartial, objective investigations” and there is a danger that concern for victims is “morphing into a medieval contempt for the accused”.
His strong comments come as the Metropolitan police come under pressure to shelve Operation Midland, their inquiry into an alleged Westminster paedophile ring, after detectives reportedly raised doubts about the testimony of the key witness.
The broadcaster Paul Gambaccini also renewed his attack on Scotland Yard and the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) for failing to apologise over their handling of sexual abuse allegations made against him.
Macdonald, the former director of public prosecutions, said: “An understandable modern concern for victims’ rights is now in real danger of morphing into a medieval contempt for the accused and a shocking disinterest in the basic norms of justice.
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