Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Police investigate Lord Janner child sexual abuse claim in Scotland

The Labour peer had previously been passed over by the CPS in England and Wales

Jon Stone
Tuesday 09 June 2015 08:42 BST
Comments
Lord Janner
Lord Janner (PA)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Police are investigating Labour peer Lord Janner regarding claim he abused an underage boy in the 1970s, it has been reported.

The BBC says the investigation relates to claims that the former MP travelled with a boy to Scotland and sexually assaulted him.

Police Scotland said officers were investigating a historic complaint but did not confirm any names related to the case.

Detective Chief Superintendent Lesley Boal said: “Police Scotland is conducting an investigation into an historic complaint and, as such, it would be inappropriate to comment.

“Police Scotland is absolutely committed to preventing all forms of child abuse and to keeping children safe while bringing perpetrators of abuse to justice, regardless of the passage of time.”

Last month the Crown Prosecution Service said it would review its decision not to prosecute the peer for alleged crimes of a sexual nature. The CPS’s remit covers England and Wales.

Lord Janner, who is also 86-years-old, was previously excused by the CPS from being questioned over “some of the most serious sexual crimes imaginable” due to his having severe dementia.

He was at the time suspended by the Labour Party.

The peer would have been charged with over a dozen indecent assaults, the most recent of which was alleged to have been committed in 1988.

Justice Lowell Goddard, the New Zealand judge who is leading an independent inquiry into child sex abuse, has also said she would investigate claims against Lord Janner

She has previously indicated that he could be called to give evidence despite his disease.

Lord Janner has previously denied all allegations against him. His family said he “is entirely innocent of any wrongdoing”.

Additional reporting by PA

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in