British police team to probe child abuse cover-ups

Police in the UK have set up a new team of 90 officers to handle inquiries into reported attempts to cover up child abuse by high-ranking figures.

The Metropolitan Police are already dealing with 29 allegations of police corruption in the handling of child abuse claims. Among the allegations are claims that special branch and senior police intervened to block inquiries into high-profile figures, including politicians, according to the Guardian.

This is while Operation Midland, which is examining reports that boys were systematically abused by a pedophile ring of politicians, military and security personnel at locations across southern England, will continue its efforts.

Back in July, UK Prime Minister David Cameron pledged full support for the country’s law enforcement agencies investigating child abuse allegations against high-profile politicians.

Cameron said police must take actions "without fear or uncertainty about how high they can go” on any information they receive.

He also urged people to come forward about crimes committed against children.

The premier spoke after revelation of a cover-up of child sex abuse allegations made against a senior lawmaker in the 1980s.

The details showed that former MI5 chief Antony Duff had then urged the government to keep quiet about allegations saying "the risk of political embarrassment to the government is rather greater than the security danger."

The United Kingdom has witnessed a surge in child molestation and sexual abuse cases, some of which go back to the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s and involve churches, media personalities and politicians.

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