NORTHERN IRELAND
Belfast Telegraph
BY STAFF REPORTER – 15 JANUARY 2015
Amnesty International has welcomed the news that witnesses will be able to give evidence to the Historical Abuse Inquiry into alleged abuse at Kincora Boys’ Home without fear of prosecution under the Official Secrets Act.
The Belfast Telegraph revealed yesterday that the Government assurance came in a letter to Sir Anthony Hart, chairman of the Northern Ireland inquiry, which has been tasked to investigate child abuse at the east Belfast boys’ home in the 1970s.
Allegations have persisted since then that a paedophile ring at Kincora was allowed to operate in order for the intelligence services to blackmail leading politicians and establishment figures.
Two former military intelligence officers, Colin Wallace and Brian Gemmell, have alleged that they raised concerns about Kincora, but the security services blocked investigations into the child abuse in the 1970s. It continued until 1980.
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