Highest Levels of British Government Investigated Over Child Abuse Claims

LONDON—The highest levels of the British political establishment are being examined due to allegations that they failed to protect children from sexual abuse.

From March 4 through 29, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) is hearing evidence involving lawmakers and high-ranking police, and whether they covered up pedophilia at the heart of the British government.

In his opening statement, lead council Brian Altman said the inquiry would investigate “whether Westminster institutions have failed—and, indeed, whether they are still failing—to protect children.

“Questions have been asked as to how Westminster institutions—be they political parties, government departments, law enforcement, or intelligence agencies—have responded to allegations of child sexual abuse and exploitation,” he said.

Altman added that the panel would examine “whether there was a culture whereby people of public prominence were shielded from investigation and their wrongdoing tolerated at the expense of their victims.”

He said the inquiry would assess whether police officers could have been “warned off” investigating possible cases of child sexual abuse when they involved prominent people.

Party Whips

The panel is also looking at the role of political party whips, who attempt to persuade politicians to vote the same way as their parties.

They are investigating whether whips, when they became aware of alleged child abuse, “tried to turn such allegations to their advantage” to keep politicians under their control.

Alleged victims of lawmakers are to give evidence, including those of the deceased politician Cyril Smith, who was revealed in 2012 to have sexually and physically abused young boys. The local council, police, and intelligence services have been accused of covering up Smith’s crimes.

The IICSA acknowledged the importance of a statement made in Parliament by Labour lawmaker Tom Watson as the “catalyst” for their investigation…

https://www.theepochtimes.com/highest-levels-of-british-government-investigated-over-child-abuse_2833306.html