IPCC investigate major child abuse cover-up involving MPs, judges, entertainers, police and clergy

By The Press Association27th March 2015News EnglandChild Abuse, Inquiry, News England, Sexual Abuse

Three new investigations into claims corrupt police officers covered up allegations relating to a VIP child sex abuse ring have been launched.

The Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) said it is now looking at 17 allegations of a police cover-up in relation to child sex offences from the 1970s to 2000s.

The watchdog said it is looking at claims police dropped an investigation into alleged child sex abuse committed by MPs, judges, celebrities, police, actors and religious figures.

In a statement the IPCC said the initial police investigation had “gathered evidence against MPs, judges, media entertainers, police, actors, clergy and others”.

Criminal proceedings were being prepared, but two months later an officer was called in by a senior Metropolitan Police officer and told to drop the case, it is alleged.

The IPCC is also looking into an allegation about police actions during a child abuse investigation in the 1980s, and another complaint about the same investigation – although no details of this have been given.

The watchdog said all the allegations relate to “suppressing evidence, hindering or halting investigations” and the “covering up the offences because of the involvement of members of parliament and police officers”.

The IPCC had last week announced that it is investigating 14 allegations. And it is assessing a further six referrals it has received from the Metropolitan Police relating to similar matters.