Danczuk & '...a realistic chance of prosecution'

by Les May

UNDER the headline ‘MP slams police “failings” as abuse inquiry closes’ a week ago the Rochdale Observer reported the statement from Greater Manchester Police (GMP) and Simon Danzuk’s comments regarding an investigation into allegations of abuse at Knowl View school which has resulted in just one person being charged with offences.

This is what GMP had to say ‘Between April 2014 and April 2015, 13 files with multiple allegations were submitted by GMP to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) relating to 27 suspects and 16 victims (I think they mean complainants), of both physical and sexual offences. In 2016 the CPS communicated their decision on the final one of the 13 files that was still under review. No further action will be taken in relation to this allegation.  In May 2016 a further file was submitted to the CPS and in August 2016 the CPS advised there was insufficient evidence to support a prosecution.’  (my emphasis)

And this is Danczuk’s response: ‘I believe that there has been a catalogue of failings by GMP during the investigation of these crimes.  A failure to prosecute will leave child sexual abuse victims devastated that the people who changed their lives forever will not be brought to justice.  This statement from GMP announcing that they have not been able to prosecute any more abusers will, I am sure, mean that the perpetrators of these horrific and evil crimes will sleep more happily in their beds tonight.’

In other words he ‘knows’ the people accused are guilty and if the evidence cannot be found it is due to police failings.

Five days later it was the turn of the CPS to make a statement regarding an allegation that Mr. Danczuk raped his wife:
‘It has been decided that there is insufficient evidence to provide a realistic prospect of conviction.’  (my emphasis)

And Danczuk’s response:
‘I am grateful for the decision made by the CPS and relieved that the investigation has now come to an end.’

No suggestion here of a catalogue of police failings. No suggestion here that rapists will sleep more happily in their beds.  No suggestion here that someone has not been brought to justice.  No suggestion here that the accused ‘got away with it’.

That’s what makes Mr Danczuk such a lovable character:  his complete indifference to what a humbug he is.

I leave it to Northern Voices readers to ponder the significance, if any, of the slight difference in wording used by the CPS in their two statements.