MP names teacher accused of abusing boys in 70s amid Nicky Campbell fight
MP Ian Blackford has used his parliamentary privilege to name a teacher accused of abusing boys in Scotland in the 1970s.
The teacher, known as “Edgar” in the UK for legal reasons, has previously admitted to abusing boys at schools in Edinburgh during the 1960s and 70s.
Broadcaster Nicky Campbell has previously opened up about the predatory former teacher, believing the fight to bring the individual to justice could soon take a step forward.
Today, SNP MP Ian Blackford took that step as he stood in the Commons and named the man accused of abuse, saying: "All of us in this house will prioritise keeping children safe from sexual predators and I'm sure the minister will be aware of the Scottish child abuse inquiry detailing the horrific allegations from a number of witnesses to events at Edinburgh Academy and Fettes School by an individual referred to as Edgar.
"I have a number of constituents who have complaints against Edgar. This man has admitted to inappropriate behaviour and is currently fighting extradition from South Africa where he has been publcily named."
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Today, SNP MP Ian Blackford took the step to name the man accused of abuse (PA)Mr Blackford said there was precedent for naming alleged sex offenders in this manner.
He continued: "We now know there are dozens of boys who have come forward to the police with allegations against this man referred to as Edgar.
"It is important that others who were abused by this man can come forward. It is right that his crimes against children are named and it is also right that he is now named.
"It is for this reason Mr Speaker that it is in the public interest that the real name of Edgar...is now publicly known."
In response Education Secretary Gillian Keegan described child sexual abuse as an "abhorrent crime".
The former teacher is accused of abusing boys at Edinburgh Academy (Daily Record)She said: "It is important that due process is followed allowing investigatory and legal processes to take place in order to maximise the chances of conviction."
In an interview with journalist Alex Renton on his Radio 4 series In Dark Corners, to air tonight, a man – given the pseudonym Steven to protect his identity – told of being molested by Edgar several times in just under a year.
Steven claimed: “He was a senior teacher, in his fifties. I was a 12, 13-year-old boy.
"All I could say was, ‘yes sir, no sir’. His favourite one was being untidy. If your shirt wasn’t tucked in, that was part of his modus operandi to have physical contact with you.
Broadcaster Nicky Campbell opened up about the predatory former teacher (Daily Record)"That would progress to grabbing me. He would push himself up against me.”
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Steven also claimed he saw Edgar molesting other pupils.
"All I could say was, ‘yes sir, no sir’. His favourite one was being untidy. If your shirt wasn’t tucked in, that was part of his modus operandi to have physical contact with you.
"That would progress to grabbing me. He would push himself up against me.”
Steven also claimed he saw Edgar molesting other pupils.
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