Kincora: Amnesty raises inquiry with MPs

The inclusion of Kincora Boys' Home in the Westminster child abuse inquiry is expected to be raised by members of the House of Commons Home Affairs Committee today (2pm).

The Committee is due to hold a pre-appointment hearing for New Zealand judge Lowell Goddard, who last week was named by Home Secretary Theresa May as the new Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

Amnesty International has written to both Justice Goddard and members of the Committee, asking for support for the inclusion of the Belfast boys’ home in the inquiry. The organisation expects the matter to be raised at this afternoon’s meeting.

“We hope to have the support of the Home Affairs Committee and that Justice Goddard will use this early opportunity to demonstrate her willingness to listen to victims.

“Last week the Home Secretary committed to discuss the inclusion of Kincora within the remit of the inquiry with its new Chair. We hope that Justice Goddard will pursue this and will wish to hear directly from Kincora abuse victims so that the full truth may finally be revealed.”

Three senior care staff at the east Belfast children’s home were jailed in 1981 for abusing 11 boys, but it is feared that there were many more victims and abusers during the period 1960 to 1980.

Allegations have persisted that a paedophile ring at Kincora was linked to the British intelligence services. Two former military intelligence officers have alleged that the security services blocked investigation of the child abuse in the 1970s.