Andy Burnham said he will "look at" The Northern Echo's call for compensation for victims of a "torture camp" as a vow to explore our manifesto.
The Prime Minister committed to exploring the six key priorities we want him to deliver for the North East on a visit to Newcastle on Wednesday (August 20).
And one of these is compensating victims of the “torture camp” Kirklevington Detention Centre, where hundreds of boys were abused between the 1960s and 1990s.
Almost 1,000 complaints of historic abuse have been made to Cleveland Police since it launched Operation Magnolia in 2014 - but despite 21 suspects being interviewed, not one former officer has been brought to justice.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham during a visit to homelessness charity Changing Lives in Newcastle
(Image: Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
Other priorities in the Echo’s manifesto include calls for a public inquiry into the breast cancer scandal at the County Durham and Darlington NHS Foundation Trust, committing to Maya's Law, speeding up the public inquiry into the Tees, Esk and Wear Valley (TEWV) trust, making devolution happen, and saving high streets from retail decline.
“They are all important issues,” Mr Burnham told the Echo, exactly one month after we launched our manifesto as he moved into Number 10.
“Two I can commit to, [including] making devolution of power work.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham and North East Mayor Kim McGuinness during a visit to homelessness charity Changing Lives in Newcastle
(Image: Scott Heppell/PA Wire)
“On the other things, all I can say is I [will] take those away and look at them in detail. And obviously we will come back to the Echo on that.”
When the Echo launched its investigation into Kirklevington earlier this year, we called for a settlement scheme, where victims can claim compensation and receive a formal apology, while avoiding complex legal proceedings.
The hundreds of boys who were subjected to horrific prison officer attacks when they were young as 14 are still waiting for justice for their abuse.
Seven former prison officers under investigation by police over attacks at the Yarm “hell hole” are now dead - and this week the Echo confirmed that the force is currently awaiting charging advice from the CPS on seven former officers under investigation.
HMP Kirklevington in Yarm
(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Nobody has ever been charged over the abuse at the centre, although “barbaric” prison officer Douglas Harrison would have been charged but died days before he could be.
The “barbaric” sadist - who died in 2019 - was set to be charged with misconduct in a public office and numerous assaults days before his death.
Harrison had been reported to police by 273 victims as of May - but, as of June 10, this number had since risen to 301.
Victims of the scandal continue to feel forgotten over the ongoing police probe, saying they feel like their abuse is being “swept under the carpet”.
HMP Kirklevington in Yarm
(Image: THE NORTHERN ECHO)
Cleveland Police said it is continuing to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry despite the death of one third of suspects interviewed as part of the probe.
Senior Investigating Officer, DCI Steve Chattertron, said: "I wholeheartedly understand the length of time this investigation has taken prolongs the trauma, frustration and upset for victims and survivors.
"We also recognise the acute impacts on victims resulting from the death of suspects identified as part of enquiries, which means many victims will never see justice.
“Victim and survivor care and support remain at the heart of everything we do. We encourage anyone affected to continue engaging with their appointed support services, and we are committed to keeping victims and survivors informed as the investigation progresses.”
Read more
'The way forward' - Calls for compensation for Kirklevington abuse scandal victims
Seven prison officers in abuse probe dead as victims fear more will escape justice
Horror abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre was 'very similar' to Medomsley
"Cleveland Police continues to pursue all reasonable lines of enquiry and continues to work closely with the CPS".
Kirklevington Detention Centre was operated by the Home Office - now the Ministry of Justice - and housed boys aged 14-17 sentenced to between three weeks and four months' detention.
It changed to an adult male resettlement prison, as it is known today, in 1992.
Anyone who suffered abuse at Kirklevington Detention Centre can report this to Cleveland Police. Victims can also contact Oakwood Solicitors for advice on legal claims.