Monday 17 February 2003

By Amy Taylor, Nicola Barry and Alex
Dobson.

Catholic priest abused children at care
home

Michael McConville, a former Roman Catholic priest, has been
found guilty of sexually abusing two young people while he worked
at a children’s home in Gravesend, Kent, in the 1970s.

His victims were a 14-year-old girl, with whom he formed a
sexual relationship, and a teenage boy.

Source:- The Times Saturday 15 February page 5

We are ready to raise minimum wage, says
Brown

Gordon Brown has announced plans for a rise in the minimum wage
at the Labour Party conference in Glasgow.

He said the rise would take place after the government received
recommendations from the Low Pay Commission.

Source:- The Times Saturday 15 February page 10

Lessons on violence at home for
10-year-olds

Ministers are considering plans to teach children aged 10 and
above about domestic violence as a part of the national
curriculum.

The measures would come under a Domestic Violence Bill currently
being considered by the Home Secretary, David Blunkett. Other plans
include the appointment of a domestic violence tsar and an extra
£14m for police to deal with abusers.

Home Office figures show that, on average, two women a week are
killed by a current or former partner.

Source:- The Independent on Sunday Sunday 16 February
page 13

Apologist used to block asylum

A controversial rightwing apologist for the Sudanese government
has been recruited to help the Home Office block an appeal by a
Sudanese asylum seeker and discredit an expert whose reports
regularly persuade adjudicators not to deport Sudanese
refugees.

David Hoile, a consultant for the Sudanese authorities and
director of the pro-government European-Sudanese Public Affairs
Council, is believed to be assisting the Home Office after an
immigration official questioned the objectivity of Peter Verney,
author of 200 reports for Sudanese asylum seekers over the past two
years.

Source:- The Guardian Monday 17 February page 15

Welsh newpapers

Detective called in after charity’s letter was
stolen and distributed

South Wales Victim Support is in turmoil following the theft and
publication of a confidential letter that outlined concerns about
an area manager.

A private detective has now been hired to find out who stole the
letter, written by the head of members’ services, Steven
Hanvey.

Source:- Western Mail Monday 17 February page 2

Scottish newspapers

Drug-addict parents ‘should be put on
methadone’

A government report is to recommend the biggest ever expansion
of the controversial methadone programme to include an estimated
170,000 drug-taking parents with young children.

The report, the result of a Home Office study, will recommend
that the majority of parents be stabilised on the drug. This could
mean the government spending £300m on the heroin substitute
each year.

Source:- The Sunday Times Sunday 16 February page 9

Concern over checks on child care staff

Nurseries are facing calls for stringent new checks on all
staff, amid concern that many employees caring for children have
not been vetted.

Although the managers and owners of nurseries are monitored for
criminal convictions, there is no legal requirement for staff to be
scrutinised.

Last night, Brian Gorman, manager of Disclosure Scotland, which
carries out criminal record checks, said it was not against the law
for staff to go unchecked.

Source:- The Scotsman Monday 17 February page 7