Tony Blair resisted demand for public inquiry into Soham schoolgirl murders

29 December 2023 , 00:01

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Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells, both 10, were murdered by Ian Huntley in 2002 (Image: PA)

Tony Blair resisted calls for a public inquiry into the Soham murders of schoolgirls Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, secret Government papers reveal.

The documents, which have now been made public at the National Archives, show the former PM was "wholly against" a full inquiry into the 2002 murders by school caretaker Ian Huntley. After the 10-year-olds were killed, it emerged Huntley had been able to get a job working with children despite a series of rape and other sex offence allegations made to police in Humberside about him.

Then-Home Secretary David Blunkett wanted to order a public inquiry after HM Inspector of Constabulary said it was unclear if Cambridgeshire Police had ever asked if there was any intelligence on Huntley. But Mr Blair said any inquiry should be held behind closed doors.

He wrote: "I am wholly against a full, overt public inquiry. Why not get a sensible person reasonably eminent, to do it on a short and quick basis." It was only after pressure from Mr Blunkett that the PM agreed Sir Michael Bichard, a former senior civil servant, should be able to conduct hearings in public.

His 2004 report led to sweeping changes across policing after uncovering a string of failings. These included mandatory checks on the potential criminal background of anyone applying to work with children.

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It also led to the creation of the Independent Safeguarding Authority. An investigation found that Humberside's data was so poor that any check on Huntley's background wouldn't have uncovered the allegations.

Dave Burke