British police face child sex abuse cover-up inquiry

The British police watchdog is to investigate a string of corruption allegations over the apparent involvement of MPs and senior officers in historic child sex abuse.

One of the allegations explicitly refers to Dolphin Square, the exclusive apartment block near the Houses of Parliament where sex parties involving under-age boys are claimed to have taken place.

The allegations, which cover four decades dating back to the 1970s, include claims an abuse victim’s statement had been altered to omit the name of a senior politician implicated in the crime, and claims no action was taken over the discovery of a document listing MPs and police officers involved in a paedophile ring.

The 14 referrals being investigated by the Independent Police Complaints Commission are:

An allegation of a potential cover up around failures to properly investigate child sex abuse offences in south London and further information about criminal allegations against a politician being dropped;

An allegation that an investigation involving a proactive operation targeting young men in Dolphin Square was stopped because officers were too near prominent people;

An allegation that a document was found at an address of a paedophile that originated from the Houses of Parliament listing a number of highly prominent individuals (MPs and senior police officers) as being involved in a paedophile ring and no further action was taken;

An allegation that an account provided by an abuse victim had been altered to omit the name of a senior politician;

An allegation that an investigation into a paedophile ring, in which a number of people were convicted, did not take action in relation to other more prominent individuals;

Allegations that a politician had spoken with a senior Met Police officer and demanded no action was taken regarding a paedophile ring and boys being procured and supplied to prominent persons in Westminster in the 1970s;

An allegation that in the late 1970s a surveillance operation that gathered intelligence on a politician being involved in paedophile activities was closed down by a senior Met Police officer;

An allegation that a dossier of allegations against senior figures and politicians involved in child abuse were taken by special branch officers;

Allegations that a surveillance operation of a child abuse ring was subsequently shut down due to high-profile people being involved;

Allegations of child sex abuse against a senior politician and a subsequent cover-up of his crimes;

Allegations that during a sexual abuse investigation a senior officer instructed the investigation be halted and that that order had come from “up high” in the Met;

An allegation of a conspiracy within the Met to prevent the prosecution of a politician suspected of offences;

Allegations against a former senior Met Police officer regarding child sex abuse and that further members of the establishment including judges were involved. It is claimed that no further action was taken;

An allegation that police officers sexually abused a boy and carried out surveillance on him. There are further allegations of financial corruption in a London borough police force.

The IPCC said it will decide at a later date whether or not to investigate a further two Met referrals which are “of a similar nature”.

PA