Rochdale abuse victims fear they will die before inquiry reports back

Two victims of abuse in Rochdale fear they will not live to see the outcome of the far-reaching child sexual abuse inquiry, their counsel has said.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) will look at allegations of the sexual abuse and exploitation of children at Cambridge House Boys’ Hostel and Knowl View School in Rochdale.

It will probe how late politician Cyril Smith was able to “target” boys in the Rochdale institutions despite knowledge of his alleged offending.

Counsel to the victims has written a letter saying the scope of the Rochdale strand of the inquiry should be broadened to encompass relevant aspects falling within the Westminster strand, counsel to the inquiry Brian Altman QC (pictured) said.

The letter said: “It is not possible to erect a barrier between the Rochdale and Westminster investigations.”

At a preliminary hearing on Wednesday, Laura Hoyano, counsel to the victims, asked for an indication of the timing of the Westminster investigation and highlighted the “rather advanced age” of victims and how they see the inquiry as a “last chance for some justice”.

A timetable for the Westminster public hearings is yet to be set, with a preliminary hearing not taking place until January.

The Rochdale and Westminster arms of the inquiry are two of 13 areas of public life being scrutinised for child protection failings, ranging from the army to the Roman Catholic Church.

Ms Hoyano told the inquiry: “I need to raise what is for us a very important issue and that is the wellbeing of our clients.

“We have repeatedly raised with counsel to the inquiry the impact on our clients of the complete uncertainty surrounding the timing and content of the Westminster hearing.

“We have said they are very anxious.”

Addressing inquiry chair Professor Alexis Jay, she said: “Our two very ill clients who will be testifying through remote link because of their illness are especially anxious that they will not survive until the Westminster hearings, much less until your report is delivered.”

Ms Hoyano added: “Our clients have waited decades – some since the 1960s – for answers and they see this inquiry as their last chance for some justice.”

She also told the hearing: “Counsel to the inquiry know from the documents that have been disclosed that some of our clients have been suicidal and some have self-harmed.”

She added: “This is supposed to be a victim-centred inquiry.”

Speaking after the hearing, Richard Scorer, also solicitor for the victims from Slater & Gordon, said: “It’s very important that the inquiry hears all of the evidence relating to Cyril Smith as soon as possible and that includes evidence about national political party involvement.

“Some of my clients are elderly and have been waiting decades for the truth to emerge about why Smith was able to evade justice in his lifetime.

“I am extremely concerned to avoid any further delays bringing these matters before the inquiry and that was the point that we made in our submissions to the chair today.”

Smith acted as a governor for several schools in Rochdale, including Knowl View.

His career was dogged by rumours he had abused children but charges were never brought.

Both the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said in 2012 Smith would have faced prosecution if the allegations had been made then.

Accusations about potential abuse by Smith in Westminster will be covered in the Westminster strand of the inquiry.

Public evidence hearings for the Rochdale investigation will begin on October 9 and are scheduled to finish on October 27.

A report is expected around six months after the hearings end.

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