Strands #301 “Festival Of Lights...
Quizzes & Puzzles6 mins ago
Cyril Smith
I have just finished Simon Danczuk's book, Smile for the Camera - The Secret Life of Cyril Smith. It made chilling reading. It contained lots of details about his paedophile activities whilst a Local Councillor and MP for Rochdale.
Time and time again, he was investigated by Lancashire Police for sexual activities with young boys, and every time the investigation was stopped mysteriously and suddenly, from the upper echelons of the Police. On one occasion, the offices of the Lancashire Police were raided by Special Branch and all files on him were removed, never to be seen again.
The book also give details of his corrupt political activities, as well as an amazing revelation that he blocked Health and Safety legislation concerning asbestos, despite dozens of his own constituents dying agonising deaths due to asbestos poisoning. It turned out that he was in the pay of the local asbestos firm, and he owned shares in the company.
I remembered Smiths jovial appearance and no-nonsense Northern manners, but after reading this book, my eyes have been well and truly opened. The author, the present MP for Rochdale will be giving evidence before the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee tomorrow, which should make for fascinating watching. He has said that if asked to name names, under Parliamentary privilege, that is exactly what he intends to do !
Time and time again, he was investigated by Lancashire Police for sexual activities with young boys, and every time the investigation was stopped mysteriously and suddenly, from the upper echelons of the Police. On one occasion, the offices of the Lancashire Police were raided by Special Branch and all files on him were removed, never to be seen again.
The book also give details of his corrupt political activities, as well as an amazing revelation that he blocked Health and Safety legislation concerning asbestos, despite dozens of his own constituents dying agonising deaths due to asbestos poisoning. It turned out that he was in the pay of the local asbestos firm, and he owned shares in the company.
I remembered Smiths jovial appearance and no-nonsense Northern manners, but after reading this book, my eyes have been well and truly opened. The author, the present MP for Rochdale will be giving evidence before the Commons Home Affairs Select Committee tomorrow, which should make for fascinating watching. He has said that if asked to name names, under Parliamentary privilege, that is exactly what he intends to do !
Answers
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As I mentioned on the Rolf Harris thread, I too have recently read this book, and as mikey says, the cover ups were amazing, and quite frankly more than a bit frightening. I don't see it as a political issue TTT, especially since Cyril batted for two parties during his lifetime, swapping back and forth when it suited his progress to power.
09:16 Tue 01st Jul 2014
Well, the Liberal pool is a little shallow I will agree TTT ! To have one paedophile in your party is unfortunate but to have 2 smacks of carelessness.
I would recommend the book...get it as I did from my local Library
( I had to wait 5 weeks for my copy...our Cyril is hot news at the moment and will be even hotter when this author gives evidence before the Home Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday...he has promised to name names involved with the Elm Guest House ! ! ! )
Its not all about paedophilia though. There is a lot of info there about how
power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Smith was huge frog in a very small pool, and unless we listen to the victims properly, there will more and more Smiths in the future.
I would recommend the book...get it as I did from my local Library
( I had to wait 5 weeks for my copy...our Cyril is hot news at the moment and will be even hotter when this author gives evidence before the Home Affairs Select Committee on Tuesday...he has promised to name names involved with the Elm Guest House ! ! ! )
Its not all about paedophilia though. There is a lot of info there about how
power tends to corrupt and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Smith was huge frog in a very small pool, and unless we listen to the victims properly, there will more and more Smiths in the future.
As I mentioned on the Rolf Harris thread, I too have recently read this book, and as mikey says, the cover ups were amazing, and quite frankly more than a bit frightening.
I don't see it as a political issue TTT, especially since Cyril batted for two parties during his lifetime, swapping back and forth when it suited his progress to power.
I don't see it as a political issue TTT, especially since Cyril batted for two parties during his lifetime, swapping back and forth when it suited his progress to power.
Simon Danczuk cleverly named Leon Brittan this afternoon when giving evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee ::::
http://
Why did Brittan suppress the dossier when he was Home Secretary ?
Well, its not difficult, but over to you Mr Brittan !
http://
Why did Brittan suppress the dossier when he was Home Secretary ?
Well, its not difficult, but over to you Mr Brittan !
BBC News - Brittan asked officials to 'look carefully' at 'paedophile dossier' http://
Clipping from the Daily Express, 2nd September 1983
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