A quick update on the child abuse inquiry.

This week Charles Napier, former Treasurer of the Paedophile Information Exchange, was sent to prison.

Napier was a big fish in the Paedophile Information Exchange. Though he will never be held to account for wrongdoing whilst teaching abroad in Sweden and Egypt (the latter posting as an employee of the British Council), much of Napier’s sordid past has finally caught up with him. I only hope he spills the beans on other members and supporters of PIE though I don’t hold out much hope.

Peter McKelvie, retired social worker from Worcestershire, will be able to sleep more soundly this week. Peter’s dogged pursuit was the catalyst for the police investigation that lead to Napier’s conviction. I’m very proud to have worked with him to help get the investigation off the ground.

It has also been a week of dramatic allegations that go far beyond anything I was aware of when I asked the PM about organised child abuse in October 2012.

New allegations regarding child murders will shock many. The correct response to these allegations must be to fight to ensure the police have the resources and space to conduct a thorough investigation. I’ve written to the PM to urge him to encourage the formation of a national police team, made up of specialists from forces around the country. It’s simply unfair to ask the Metropolitan police to carry the load for what is effectively a national inquiry in all but name.

As has happened in the past, there have been unpleasant side effects to the latest allegations. A number of journalists from newspapers not previously that interested in the child abuse inquiry have been tasked to report on the investigation. I can already tell from the limited contact I have had with them that they know little about the cases being investigated. They posit wildly speculative theories from unreliable sources. It is as irritating as it is dangerous.

The danger of renewed interest from media outlets with limited knowledge of the case, is that they help inflate another ‘MacAlpine bubble’ that may cause great distress to the innocent and harm to the credibility of legitimate investigations.

The worst thing that those campaigning for justice could do is allow their comments or private thoughts to stand up stories that make headlines in newspapers but do not assist the police with their inquiries.

The new allegations are more serious than anything previously reported. Campaigners should proceed with caution, keeping their critical faculties alert at all times. Above all, beware of reporters looking for easy headlines.

One final point — I’m gong to write to the PM to urge him to personally look at how resources are marshalled to provide counselling and other support to survivors. I’ve promised one particular survivor I’d do this and thank him for his patience.