Truth vs cash in child abuse case told to balance truth against cash

INSURERS warned child abuse investigators that a balance had to be struck between truth and financial interests, it has been revealed at the North Wales abuse tribunal.

They also demanded to see a report of an abuse inquiry team before publication, warned that insurance cover could be removed, insisted on vetting comments and statements, and at one point complained about files being released to the police.

And when independent investigators wanted to advertise their inquiry, the insurers replied: "Such notices only encourage a bandwagon of claims together with adverse publicity." The tribunal was told that the insurers were the Municipal Mutual, some of whose affairs were taken over by Zurich Municipal. John Goldring QC, counsel for the insurers, said, "They accept that in hindsight ...the tone of the correspondence was at times intemperate."

n The tribunal is to investigate the financial affairs of jailed paedophile John Allen who was paid pounds 28m for looking after children and who claims he has no money to pay for legal representation at the hearings.