EX CLWYD COUNCIL LEADER SPEAKS OUT ABOUT CHILD ABUSE IN NORTH WALES

By The Leader

THE former leader of Clwyd County Council has pledged his support to the victims of abuse at a Wrexham care home.

Dennis Parry, who led the authority from 1989-95, says the Waterhouse Inquiry failed to uncover the full horror of abuse at almost 40 homes across North Wales in the 1970s and 80s, including at Bryn Estyn in Wrexham.

Mr Parry, now retired, has welcomed an investigation by the National Crime Agency (NCA), which is looking into fresh allegations.

Mr Parry, 64, told the Leader: “As soon as the Jimmy Savile business came out, and the Prime Minister said he would leave no stone unturned, I knew that it would be open from the start.

“I don’t think the Waterhouse Inquiry went as far as it could have. I thought it was weak.

“It has certainly got a lot to answer for.”

The Waterhouse Inquiry, which was led by High Court judge Sir Ronald Waterhouse, examined claims and made 72 recommendations when it reported in 2000.

A separate review – the Jillings Report – was commissioned in 1994 by the then Clwyd County Council to investigate allegations of abuse at Bryn Estyn, but later pulped at the insistence of insurers.

Flintshire and Wrexham councils have now unearthed copies of the Jillings Report, and handed them to North Wales Police and the NCA.

They are also seeking legal advice on whether it can be published.

Mr Parry added: “I wanted it published, but the insurance company said we couldn’t. It was terrible.”
Ofcome probe

A COUNCILLOR who spoke out about his own experience of abuse has expressed his thanks for the support he has received.

Cllr Keith Gregory,  a victim of abuse at Bryn Estyn during the 1970s, said: “I wanted to thank everybody for all the messages of support. There are a lot of people out there hurting and the truth needs to come out.”

He urged anybody who suffered abuse at the home to contact him or to call Children’s Commissioner for Wales Keith Towler on  0808 801 1000.