Tweet
Tom Watson
Petition - https://www.change.org/petitions/dav...ed-child-abuse
West Bromwich
Jul 7, 2014 — Firstly, a very big thank you. Without your support we would never have forced the Home Secretary to make an announcement in the House of Commons at 3.30pm today.
Early press reports say she will announce an inquiry into allegations of organised child abuse.
The devil will be in the detail.
Having talked to a number of survivors and retired child protection specialists I know one thing: if this new inquiry is not given the power to obtain all documents it wants to see, then it won't get anywhere.
It has already been revealed that Special Branch suppressed police reports into allegations of child abuse by the late MP Cyril Smith. If they held a file on Smith, then the inquiry team will want to know if they held files on any other individual. That's why the power to demand files is vital.
So we've made great progress in 24 hours but we have a little further to go before we can claim victory.
I'll let you know my view later this afternoon.
In the meantime - if you can get us past the 75,000 supporter mark before the Home Secretary stands up in the Commons, it will send a big statement.
Best wishes - I've been very moved by your solidarity and support.
Tom W
Petition - https://www.change.org/petitions/dav...ed-child-abuse
West Bromwich
Jul 7, 2014 — Firstly, a very big thank you. Without your support we would never have forced the Home Secretary to make an announcement in the House of Commons at 3.30pm today.
Early press reports say she will announce an inquiry into allegations of organised child abuse.
The devil will be in the detail.
Having talked to a number of survivors and retired child protection specialists I know one thing: if this new inquiry is not given the power to obtain all documents it wants to see, then it won't get anywhere.
It has already been revealed that Special Branch suppressed police reports into allegations of child abuse by the late MP Cyril Smith. If they held a file on Smith, then the inquiry team will want to know if they held files on any other individual. That's why the power to demand files is vital.
So we've made great progress in 24 hours but we have a little further to go before we can claim victory.
I'll let you know my view later this afternoon.
In the meantime - if you can get us past the 75,000 supporter mark before the Home Secretary stands up in the Commons, it will send a big statement.
Best wishes - I've been very moved by your solidarity and support.
Tom W
