Alleged abuse victims could receive payouts
PAYOUTS running into millions of pounds could be paid to alleged child sex victims of the late Labour politician Greville Janner.
More than 30 people could be in line for compensation after an inquiry found their allegations had been “swept under the carpet” while the Cardiff-born peer was alive.
If approved by the Government, the redress scheme would compensate those involved in an inquiry that found they were the victims of “institutional failings”.
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse ruled this week that police had kept key evidence from prosecutors.
The ex-Leicester West MP repeatedly denied the allegations – and was made a Lord when he retired as an MP in 1997. He died in 2015, facing 22 counts of child sex abuse from 1969 to 1988 – but a trial had been ruled out due to his health.
Compensation could be similar to that given to victims of football paedophile Barry Bennell, and a payout estimated at £84m to 1,500 children abused while under the care of Lambeth Council.
Janner had been accused of raping and sexually abusing children at the Houses of Parliament, in children’s homes, schools, swimming pools, his car and at his home.
Liam Goggin – partner at Simpson Millar, representing alleged victims of Lord Janner – said a redress scheme could give closure.
He said: “This isn’t a quick-fix – it could take up to two years.
“But it’s hoped the alleged victims of Janner would be included in any redress scheme.”
The inquiry, chaired by Prof Alexis Jay, revealed no police had faced disciplinary action, and that three had escaped misconduct action after retiring.
It said Leicestershire Police “did not look beyond the often troubled backgrounds” of those in care.
One child had said: “They’re not going to believe me, I’m just a little kid in a children’s home.”
The report found 1999’s Operation Magnolia made a “deliberate decision” to hide key witness statements.
And it said Leicestershire County Council had a “sorry record” in relation to the sexual abuse of children in its care.
But Janner’s son Daniel said it “offers no proof whatsoever” of his father’s guilt.
Janner was born in Cardiff on July 11, 1928, to Lithuanian Jewish (Litvak) parents, the son of Barnett Janner and Elsie Sybil, née Cohen.
He died in London on December 19, 2015, aged 87.
When Janner was created a life peer in 1997 he took the title Baron Janner of Braunstone in the County of Leicestershire.