The Point

Last updated: 27 June 2022.

Sexual Abuse Time Bomb...still Ticking

 

Since the eruption of the Jimmy Saville case last year the Con/Dem government have been thankful for some brief respite from the glare of publicity alluding to direct links between organised sexual abuse of children and leading British politicians.

Now the scandal is threatening to blow up around Operation Fernbridge,  a police investigation into activities at the Elm Guesthouse in London during the 1980’s, where children from nearby local authority care homes were serially sexually abused.

The developing scandal  is related to Labour MP Tom Watson’s original allegations about the existence of a Tory sex abuse ring with links straight to number 10.

Socialists should be interested in this story not because it is just another example of the horrendous abuse of vulnerable children by the rich and powerful, but also for its political implications.

As usual the victims have been denied justice and there appears to have been an exerted cover up during the original police investigation following a raid on the guest house in 1982. There were further complaints to the police as recently as 2003 but no action was taken.

Unlike the North Wales child abuse scandal in the 1970’s that allegedly involved, a yet to be disclosed, single living senior Tory politician, this developing scandal has a potential roll call of the national establishment. This includes MP’s from more than just the Tory Party, but one cabinet minister under Thatcher who is still alive.

The reason for the cover up is not hard to find as those alleged to be implicated include leading members of the intelligence service MI5, members of the Royal Court, a Sinn Féin MP, a dead leader of the fascist BNP, numerous  named MP’s  (some deceased), a now aging British pop star and the odd Bishop. Prominent were members of the right wing Tory Monday Club.

The links to the Tory party have a documentary evidence trail. The Conservative Group for Homosexual Equality advocated  for the reduction of the age of consent for  male same sex activity from 21 to 16 in the 1980’s. Nothing wrong with that of course but the CGHE, now  L.G.B.Tory (Conservative and Proud)  appeared  to have had a dark side. The group produced a newsletter that advertised friendly accommodation for gay men.

One dated April 8, 1982, carried a glowing plug for the Elm.

It said: “I am glad to publicise another establishment strongly recommended by members.”

The newsletter gave the full address and two telephone numbers for the guest house and said: “It is just over Hammersmith Bridge, is well served by underground and bus services and by British Rail, and is near the M4, A3, A4 and A40.”

It added: “The facilities include a sauna, solarium and video ‘’

A number of survivors of abuse have said that they were sexually abused and it was videoed. The videos were subsequently sold as child pornography.

Socialists have to be crystal clear that this has got absolutely nothing to do with sexual orientation and we are fully opposed to all forms of discrimination and homophobia. This is about very powerful individuals who appeared to be conspiring together to prey sexually on the weak and vulnerable.

The net is widening but the danger is that the police investigation will sink into oblivion due to a lack of reliable evidence. Two individuals have been arrested, but they are sacrificial small fry.

Tom Watson MP has tweeted after Channel 4 screened a story on the scandal:

‘‘Hoping for significant progress on the child abuse inquiry today.  If you are a victim - please contact me in confidence. It will help others.’’

We should support Tom Watson’s campaign to uncover this scanda, and bring high placed perpetrators to justice, but have no confidence in the British state to do so.

No trust in establishment enquiry into child sexual abuse scandals

Justice for the abused. For a genuinely democratic and accountable inquiry into the abuse cases, involving survivors groups, trade union organisations and others with adequate, publicly funded resources and access to all documents and testimonies held by state bodies.

Stop the intimidation of 'whistle-blowers'

Reverse the cuts and privatisation in care homes and public services. We need a fully-funded, publicly owned, democratically controlled service, run by care receivers and providers, families, the unions and medical/care professions

Bruce Wallace.

Bruce has worked as a social work practitioner and lecturer, with direct experience of child protection, abuse and justice issues.