“Innocent until proved guilty”: this is one of the cornerstones of our legal system. In a speech in the Lords on June 30, Alistair Lexden suggested that this great principle might be in danger.
He voiced his concerns in relation to the investigation of a number of allegations of historical child sex abuse, particularly the deeply worrying case of Bishop George Bell, probably the greatest figure in the 20th century history of the Church of England, who died in 1958.
He made his speech in moving a motion in his name that had been selected for debate. The motion read: ‘That this House takes note of the case for introducing statutory guidelines relating to the investigation of cases of historical child sex abuse’.
Follow the link to read his speech and the speeches of other contributors to this important debate which he summed up at the end…. theyworkforyou