Furious George Pell demands Victoria Police investigation as ABC airs abuse claims

AUSTRALIA
Sydney Morning Herald

Latika Bourke

London: A furious Cardinal George Pell has demanded an inquiry into the Victorian Police, accusing “elements” of the force of “conspiring” with the ABC to pervert the course of justice, relating to allegations of child sexual abuse, which he emphatically denies.

Speaking from Rome where he is based at the Vatican, Cardinal Pell said he refused to be put to a “trial by media” and said the ABC had “no licence” to destroy his reputation.

Cardinal Pell said since the allegations were first aired nearly six months ago, police had not sought to interview him.

“These disclosures and consequent publicity by the ABC clearly are apt and calculated deliberately to influence and compromise relevant judicial and prosecutorial processes,” his office said. Victoria Police said it would not be providing any further comment.

The ABC’s 730 program on Wednesday night aired a “special report” citing Victorian Police Commissioner Graham Ashton confirming a year-long investigation into Cardinal Pell, relating to “multiple allegations” of sexual abuse.

Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.