Cop boss lobbied to quash telford child sex inquiry
Commissioner backed probe ..then emailed his objections
A CRIME chief sent emails to the Government OPPOSING a dedicated child sex abuse probe in Telford – on the same day he publicly said he would SUPPORT an inquiry.
West Mercia’s Police and Crime Commissioner John Campion told Home Office officials he didn’t think a separate inquiry was necessary.
It came after the Sunday Mirror revealed 1,000 girls were feared to have suffered. Tory politician Mr Campion last night said he opposed a specific Telford probe only because he felt it could repeat the existing national child sex abuse inquiry led by Professor Alexis Jay.
Mr Campion said publicly on March 13: “An independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in any part of the country is a matter for the Government. It is my role to represent our communities and to that end, I would support whatever scrutiny is appropriate and necessary.”
But an email to the Home Office from the same day read: “In 2016 I was co-signatory on a letter to the Home Secretary, stating that whilst I welcomed any constructive scrutiny, I did not believe an independent inquiry was necessary. This was due to recent service improvements and the existing national independent inquiry. In light of recent media coverage Telford and Wrekin Council has reversed its position on the matter. My personal opinion has not changed, however I would support any scrutiny that would help victims and reassure communities which the Government deems appropriate and necessary.” The Sunday Mirror told how authorities did little to protect girls who were groomed, raped, beaten and sold for sex. Five deaths were linked to the scandal – including that of 13-year-old Becky Watson, who was abused for two years.
One victim – raped almost every night for four years – last night expressed her disgust at the commissioner’s stance.
She said: “John Campion was elected to stand up for people like us but it seems he does not want us to have the answers we need. This breaks our trust in the authorities even further. How would he feel if someone in his family had been abused like we have been?”
Telford’s Tory MP Lucy Allan last night hit out at Mr Campion, saying: “Too often those least able to get their voices heard are disregarded by those in authority. I won’t let that happen in Telford.” Mr
Campion said: “Any suggestion that it was my intention to influence the government’s position regarding a separate Telford inquiry is completely untrue and is a wilful misrepresentation, which I would reject absolutely.
“The Jay inquiry will shortly be examining child sexual exploitation in Telford, which I fully support. Any additional inquiry specifically focused on Telford would need to add to the Jay inquiry, rather than just repeat it. We do not need two inquiries that serve a single purpose.”
Local officials agree the need for a local inquiry however it is yet to be formally announced.