Royals and MPs may give evidence in Westminster abuse probe over claims they had connections to paedophile gangs

UNITED KINGDOM
Daily Mail

By Martin Robinson for MailOnline and Ian Drury Home Affairs Correspondent For The Daily Mail

MPs and royals could be ordered to give evidence over claims they had connections to paedophile gangs, it has been revealed.

Justice Lowell Goddard, the chairman of the landmark inquiry into historical child sex abuse, said politicians still serving at Parliament could be made to testify.

Child abuse allegations against VIPs, the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches, schools, local councils and ‘certain people of public prominence associated with Westminster’ will be among 12 areas for initial scrutiny, she announced.

The probe, set to cost up to £100million, will even look at claims the Royal Household was embroiled in the scandal. Members of the Royal Family could be called to give evidence.

Last month, Prince Charles was forced to deny he interfered in the case against paedophile priest Peter Ball, who was eventually jailed for sexual abuse.

Justice Goddard, a New Zeland High Court judge, said the investigation – to begin immediately – would look at allegations involving current and former MPs, plus government officials.

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