Thatcher knighthood approval ‘helped Cyril Smith maintain child services links’

Margaret Thatcher’s decision to approve suspected child abuser Cyril Smith for a knighthood helped him maintain close ties to children’s services, an inquiry has heard.

The late politician received the honour in 1988 despite knowledge “at the very highest level of politics” about past allegations of his sexual abuse, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse was told.

Evidence hearings have begun at the national probe to examine how Smith was able to allegedly prey on young boys at Cambridge House hostel and the Knowl View residential school in Rochdale, where Smith served as MP from 1972-1992.

But lead counsel Brian Altman QC said the knighthood conferred a “veneer of respectability and power” that afforded influence over child welfare cases at Rochdale Borough Council.

A Lancashire Police investigation into the Liberal MP’s alleged sexual abuse of young boys ended in 1970 when the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) concluded it was unlikely to lead to a prosecution.

Downing Street was aware of both the investigation, based on accusations from eight boys, and two press reports into Smith’s alleged offending, documents from the time indicate.

Mr Altman said: “I mention this knighthood here for two reasons. First, because it demonstrates that the Lancashire investigation and the (Rochdale Alternative Press) article had been considered at the very highest level of politics and seemingly did not prompt more than consideration of the DPP’s decision not to prosecute.

“Second, because it is important to bear in mind the extent to which Cyril Smith continued to involve himself in serious issues related to the welfare of children.

” A knighthood would only have reinforced Smith’s veneer of respectability and power.”

He pointed to a case in 1991 in which Smith apparently played a key role in removing a child from his family home.

“The child in question had behaved sexually towards his eight-year- old sister,” Mr Altman said.

“Rochdale social services were attempting to manage this situation but it is quite clear that it was the involvement of Smith in his capacity as the local MP that was decisive.”

It also emerged that MI5 provided the inquiry with records detailing allegations that prosecutors had lied about their role in deciding not to prosecute Smith in 1970.

Sir Norman Skelhorn, the DPP at the time, chose not to press charges despite a senior detective warning the “sordid” accusations against Smith “stood up”, the inquiry heard.

Mr Altman said in his opening that the security services were informed that the Rochdale Alternative Press (RAP), which published an investigation into Smith in 1979, had been misled by Sir Norman’s office.

He said of material provided to the inquiry by MI5: ” The documents show that the Security Service’s legal adviser was informed of the false representations to the press from the DPP’s office.

” Based upon their review of the information they hold, the Security Service considers they took active steps to ensure that those involved in investigating allegations of child sexual abuse against Smith were made aware of all information of relevance to their inquiries.

“However, given their function was to defend the realm, at that time, and investigation was outside their remit, they simply filed the information related to the false representations that had been made to the press.”

According to the records, the DPP told the publication it had never received police reports of abuse by Smith.

The 29-stone politician, who died in 2010, was the subject of sex abuse accusations and investigations over decades during his career in Rochdale, but never faced trial.

No national newspapers reported on the alleged behaviour of Smith which was outlined in the 1979 RAP report, Mr Altman said.

“This is despite the fact that Cyril Smith did not take any form of action against RAP,” he added.

An investigation into the MP in 1970, the year he first ran for national office, concluded he was hiding behind a “veneer of respectability” to target eight young boys at Cambridge House during the 1960s.

Lancashire Police’s detective superintendent Leach was said by Mr Altman to be “unsparing” in his assessment of Smith in a report to the force’s chief constable.

The report said: “It seems impossible to excuse his conduct over a considerable period of time whilst sheltering behind a veneer of respectability.

“He has used his unique position to indulge in a sordid series of indecent episode with young boys towards whom he had a special responsibility.”

The officer said the allegations, which included that he spanked some boys on their bare bottoms and medically examined others, “stood up”, the hearing was told.

As police pursued the claims against Smith, he paid one detective a visit in early 1970 and was accused of conducting a “fishing expedition”.

During the meeting, Smith tried to pry information from the officer, telling them the investigation would influence his decision on whether he should run for MP.

According to a police report, Smith said: “I don’t know if you know about public affairs.

“In three weeks’ time, I have to give a decision one way or another (about) whether I’m going to fight the next parliamentary election as a Liberal… If I’m going to be charged, I’m not going to accept.”

He was then warned by officers that he could be interfering with witnesses after saying he had asked two boys directly if they had made complaints against him.

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