Inquiry call on child sex abuse

West Bromwich East MP Tom Watson, together with six other prominent MPs, has written to the Home Secretary, Theresa May, urging an inquiry to be set-up into what they call the 'failure' by police and other agencies in a variety of high profile cases.

A letter, signed by Mr Watson, also has the backing of former children's minister, Tim Loughton and backbencher Zac Goldsmith, both Conservative, Labour's Simon Danczuk, Birmingham Yardley's John Hemming and Tessa Munt, both Lib Dem and Green Party MP Caroline Lucas.

The seven MPs also want the inquiry to investigate why police surveillance videos and detailed dossiers appear to have gone missing in cases involving prominent figures.

Their letter claims this includes a dossier of alleged paedophiles passed to the Home Office in 1984 by the former Conservative MP, Geoffrey Dickens.

Mr Watson said: "We are seeking an independent inquiry, similar to the investigation into the Hillsborough tragedy, to uncover the truth and bring about justice for the many victims of organised child abuse.

"There are hundreds of victims whose voices have not been heard. The Government should properly resource an independent inquiry, so that a line can be drawn under many of these cases once and for all."

Several inquiries have been set up following the revelations that Jimmy Savile was a paedophile but Mr Watson said there had long been concern that these were not far reaching enough.