‘Child abuse’ files must give justice to victims, says NSPCC chief

POLICE were today urged to use newly released files relating to alleged child abuse by senior political figures to ensure victims get justice.

NSPCC chief Peter Wanless said the documents demonstrated a disregard for protecting victims of horrific abuse, but warned against putting anything into the public domain which could jeopardise legal proceedings.

He said: “I would hate to think that in a rush to make papers publicly available we in any way jeopardise the opportunity for children… to secure the justice they deserve.”

In a key note in 1986, MI5 chief Sir Antony Duff wrote to cabinet secretary Sir Robert Armstrong about an MP said to have “a penchant for small boys”. He wrote: “The risks of political embarrassment to the government is rather greater than the security danger.”

The revelations come as New Zealand High Court judge Lowell Goddard begins trawling for evidence for her inquiry into historic child abuse.

Among figures named in files uncovered after a review are former cabinet minister Leon Brittan, Margaret Thatcher aide Sir Peter Morrison, exdiplomat Sir Peter Hayman and former minister Sir William van Straubenzee, all of whom are dead.