To think that the outcome of any child abuse probe centering around Westminster is foregone?

[MarmaladeShatkins]

And the outcome will be that no living politicians will be outed?

I think they will pin it on a few deceased MPs and continue to cover up the involvement of any public figures still alive. There might be one sacrificial lamb to silence the public but I think it will still be a big cover-up.

I do not believe that the police should police the police and that is exactly what is happening with Butler-Sloss heading the inquiry.

Agree that protesting isn't pointless, although I understand why people feel it doesn't work. Also baffled by the lack of media coverage of recent protests - UK Uncut action never gets a mention from BBC; Thursday's strike was mentioned, but quietly considering the number of unions taking part.

I think a one day protest ( e.g. Stop the War marches) gives everyone a chance to march on Westminster, and a great day out is had by all. But often the momentum is lost soon afterwards. Public protest has to be repeated ad nauseum until the message finally sinks in. The suffragettes spent years hassling those in power, via marches, group and individual actions, all sorts of imaginative (and illegal) ways of getting media attention. They were a giant pain in the arse of the establishment, and it (eventually) paid off.

And what on earth can people do other than protest? It does feel as if you are doing something, but that isn't a bad thing provided people don't just sign a petition and then say "I've done my bit" and do nothing else.

Some people have mentioned the Cleveland abuse scandal, where EBS did the official report. I'm surprised at the allegation that these children were abused - surely the whole point was that one rogue doctor had invented the idea that she could merrily 'diagnose' child abuse by sticking her finger up kids' bottoms? 'Anal dilation' I seem to recall.

Which was not only nonsense, it was irrelevant, and probably meant actual victims were missed, as well as innocent families accused and traumatised - including the poor children as well as the adults. There was all that hysteria about 'satanic abuse' which reminded me of the Salem witch trials - always wondered whether any of those social workers had seen The Crucible and recognised themselves.

I wonder if any of those children have spoken out now they are adults and said one way or another? It's obviously something deeply traumatic they may not care to speak about publicly, but I'd be interested to know why some posters say 'those kids were abused' - do they know anyone personally involved?

I've retweeted the hashtags etc. I've never tweeted before but I've tweeted now. Its too important not to do something.

“Both MPs were brutal. I was raped over a bath-tub while my head was beneath the water."

That's really awful.

Tory child abuse whistleblower: 'I supplied underage rent boys for Margaret Thatcher's cabinet ministers'

Former Conservative activist Anthony Gilberthorpe said he told Margaret Thatcher 25 years ago about what he had witnessed and gave her names of those involved.

His allegations that he saw top Tories having sex with boys comes after David Cameron launched a Government inquiry into claims of a cover-up.

Anthony, 52, said: “I am prepared to speak to the inquiry. I believe I am a key witness.”

Trawling seedy streets during a Tory conference, Gilberthorpe says he was asked to find underage rent boys for a private sex party at a top hotel.

He says one person who attended a party is a current serving minister.

Others said to be present at the parties included Keith Joseph, Rhodes Boyson, Dr Alistair Smith and Michael Havers.

EBS' brother is named in that article. How on earth can she remain in charge if the inquiry after that article?

I too had reservations about the age of EBS. Having seen the comments about the alleged behaviour of her DB, I really think she should be replaced. It seems to me that a decision was rushed, so that people would see quick and decisive action - but I think it's gone wrong.

I don't personally know any of the Cleveland children, but I do remember reading at the time that at least some of the children were abused.

The evidence included a 2 year old girl with gonorrhoea.

YANBU it will be a whitewash. Something does need to be done about it

Geoffrey Dickens wasn't the only one with a dossier.

Barbara Castle also had a dossier of paedophile supporting MPs - "A dossier on politicians who allegedly supported a paedophile group was covered up by Special Branch, it was claimed last night. Put together in the early 1980s by the late Baroness Castle of Blackburn, it named about 16 high-profile politicians who “enhanced PIE’s ambitions”. She took the claims to Don Hale, a campaigning newspaper editor in Bury, Lancs.

But Mr Hale says an astonishing operation kicked in to silence the claims.

He says he received a visit from Rochdale’s ­Liberal MP Cyril Smith, now widely believed to have been a prolific paedophile.

Mr Hale, 61, said: “Cyril tried to persuade me that it was ‘all poppycock’.

Mr Hale says the offices of his paper, the Bury Messenger, were then ­raided by Special Branch.

He said officers waved a restrictive D-Notice and warned him of imprisonment if he failed to hand over secret papers obtained from Mrs Castle."

It's just one more reason not to vote LibLabCon next years. They were all at it. Either abusing or keeping schtum about it to protect their career.

You'd imagine it was only ever a matter of time before havers' name was thrown into the mix. Surely, there's no way she can lead the inquiry now?!

Just a quick reminder or a flag up for the new posters on this thread www.mumsnet.com/Talk/mumsnet_campaigns/2129828-A-truly-independent-enquiry-into-child-sex-abuse?msgid=48256057

That's silly, Tuscongirl! Members of those same political parties are fighting to get this brought out into the open.
Don't they deserve to be voted back in?

With the election coming up, it's the ideal time to write to our MPs, demanding action and refusing to vote for anyone involved in a cover-up.

(Thank you, MNHQAmy :) )

If not a Mumsnet campaign, is there any way we can campaign together? Is there anything ordinary people can do?

Facebook and Twitter are our best tools in organising any kind of march/protest.

I've been tweeting scandanavian and connected with a few like minded people including mnetters, pm me if you'd like my twitter name.

There's something on twitter that suggest butler-Sloss is stepping down. Apologies for lack of link - am on phone and struggling to get the hang of twitter!

I so hope Butler-sloss does stand down.

There is no way that she should have been put up, and there is no way she should have accepted.

Pretty unbelivable really.

I completely agree. Im not going to lie and say I completely understand politics. But what I do know is its disgusting what they have done and probably continue to do.

Its all getting brushed under the carpet. Something has to be done. They cant get away with it. If it was Joe Bloggs from of an estate he would be sent to prison straight away and everybody would know what he had done. so why should it be any different.

if theres a march or anything that will make any difference count me in.

www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/crime/10964530/Baroness-Butler-Sloss-was-behind-controversial-paedophile-ruling.html

Butler-Sloss has no Law degree apparently, she was a secretary called to the Bar due to family connections!