Martin Hickman
Two men were arrested this morning by Scotland Yard detectives investigating allegations of paedophilia by politicians and other members of the establishment in the 1980s.
The men, one aged 66 from Norfolk and a second aged 70 from East Sussex, were held in early morning raids on suspicion of sexual offences. They are being questioned in custody.
The arrests were made by officers from Operation Fernbridge, the Metropolitan Police inquiry into allegations of abuse of children at Elm Guest House in Rock’s Lane, Barnes, south-west London.
Children from Grafton Close, a local children’s home run by Richmond Council, are alleged to have been supplied to Elm Guest House.
Commander Peter Spindler, head of the Metropolitan Police’s Specialist Crime Investigations, said: “This is a complex multi-agency investigation supported by the NSPCC, CEOP and Richmond Social Services involving non recent allegations of sexual assault against children.
“It is vital that anyone who has been affected by or has information about activity in the early 1980s at the Elm Guest House, or the Grafton Close care home, in Barnes speaks to the NSPCC on their Helpline on 0808 800 5000, or their local police.”
The Metropolitan Police added in a statement: “The allegations under Operation Fernbridge were initially assessed under Operation Fairbank, which was information passed to police by MP Tom Watson. The men arrested are not believed to be politicians.
“Operation Fernbridge reached the threshold for a criminal investigation. Other matters under Operation Fairbank remain under assessment.”
Scotland Yard pointed out that the allegations are in no way connected with current residents of the address.
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