Ex PM resisted calls for full public inquiry into the Soham murders committed by a former Grimsby man
Questions were asked about data held on Ian Huntley by Humberside police
Last updated 29th Dec 2023
Official Government files show former Prime Minister Tony Blair resisted calls for a public inquiry into the murders of Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman in Soham likely to have raised questions about Humberside police.
They were killed by school caretaker and former Grimsby man Ian Huntley who'd been able to get the job despite complaints of serious sexual offences made to the Humberside force.
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, while Humberside's data was so poor the result of any check would have been negative.
A subsequent report criticised police failings
Papers released by the National Archives show Mr Blair's initial response was that any inquiry should take place behind closed doors.
"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," he wrote.
But under pressure from Mr Blunkett, Mr Blair agreed that Sir Michael Bichard, a former senior civil servant, should be able to conduct hearings in public.
His subsequent report, which heavily criticised police failings, led to the creation of the Independent Safeguarding Authority and the introduction of mandatory checks on the potential criminal background of anyone applying to work with children.