Re: Dispatches Channel 4 (Thurs 12th Sept)

Chill37 Thu Sep 19, 2013 11:43 am

I will be honest, I had only ever heard rumours about Cyril being a 'paedo' but now, as more and more evidence is produced, it is indeed the extent of the abuse. Also I am very saddened , for want of a better word, there are still people denying the abuse suffered at the hands of Cyril over on the story covered on RO.

Hinch Thu Sep 19, 2013 11:57 am

I was told by a senior political figure in Rochdale within the last year that it was only a bit of 'harmless spanking' that was quite acceptable at the time.

With mindsets like this, no wonder that sod all happened.

He is sometimes described as a 'disgraced former Lib Dem MP'. Untrue! Disgrace is something you can only experience in your own lifetime. Smith went to his grave with a knighthood, Deputy Lord Lieutenant of the County and never having faced a criminal prosecution or official inquiry.

It is his poor victims who have had to live with the sense of shame and disgrace. I doubt if Smith ever lost a night's sleep.

Atlas Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:16 am

Knowing the man I can assure you he most certainly didn't. It takes a certain type of mind-set to accomplish what Cyril did in his life-time - and a conscience isn't one of them. One may appear to be 'concerned' but the actor in him dispelled any outward signs to the contrary. We all fight with the weapons we acquire to survive and prosper. If anything the 'knighthood' should have been awarded for that. affraid

He left this world convinced he had succeeded in duping everyone that mattered and fully convinced he had a lived to the full making his mark and leaving a good legacy. It matters not one jot he was wrong on that score because he, personally, will never know any different. The harm and shame will rest with those he left behind regardless of their innocence. Some world -.

Hinch Fri Sep 20, 2013 1:42 pm

And of course, we know that the Security Services as well as Special Branch were involved in monitoring Smith's activities. It therefore seems improbable that very senior figures in government were not fully briefed at the time of the Lib Lab pact.

Atlas Sat Sep 21, 2013 12:23 am

But of course they were. However the survival of the 'Party' and the 'State' are paramount. Politics may appear adversarial but there are rules one of which is 'the survival of the Parliamentary Democracy' as a whole whereupon advances the rule 'in a crisis we all scratch each others backs'. No surprise there then. Sad

Hinch Sat Sep 21, 2013 9:56 pm

Yes, threaten their salaries, perks or pensions and they suddenly become as one party.

Hinch Wed Sep 25, 2013 10:07 am

From today's Northern Voices :- http://northernvoicesmag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/cyril-smith-those-who-looked-other-way.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+northernvoices+(Northern+Voices)

Hinch Tue Oct 01, 2013 10:06 am

http://northernvoicesmag.blogspot.co.uk/2013/09/continued-cover-up-and-denial-about.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed:+northernvoices+(Northern+Voices)

Guest Tue Oct 01, 2013 9:52 pm

Another telling review by Northern Voices. The following extract seems indicative of many thwarted attempts to push for investigations: -

'Rochdale's Alternative Paper published a well-sourced, considered and authoritative 2,000 word article, cleared by three sets of highly reputable lawyers, in May 1979, outlining Smith's abuse at Cambridge House - with harrowing sworn testimony quotes from some of the victims.

It was read by everyone in a position of authority in Rochdale at the time, and ignored.'

There appears to be a really Naff pre-occupation running to blame collusion by one political party, and for some media to only tag the local council as ' The Establishment.' Just a few examples of historic political control of Rochdale council show this to be a nonsense stance -

No overall control, 1979–1980
Labour, 1980–1982
No overall control, 1982 - 1986
Labour, 1986–1992
No overall control.1992–1996
Labour,1996–2003
No overall control, 2003–2007

ALL parties and different public services share culpability.

There appears to be a strange exclusion / toning down of references to police forces,
their officers' responsibilities and their leaders.

Wasn't it Sir James Anderton, Chief Constable of Greater Manchester between 1976 and 1991, who was known as " God's Copper ? " Exclamation

Is he one of the few remaining past Establishment leaders still alive ??

Perhaps we've already had explanation for much suppression, i.e.

Hinch wrote: Yes, threaten their salaries, perks or pensions and they suddenly become as one party.

Atlas Wed Oct 02, 2013 1:03 am

Nobody ever stayed healthy and wealthy on a plate of principals. It's against human nature - one's existence. Wink

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