Next Steps

Having read the report, there are some very serious issues which need to be addressed to the authorities and local Parlimentary representatives.

Therefore, I will be making appointments next week to see the local MP, Angus McNeil, the MSP, Alasdair Morrison, the SWIA (who have offered to speak to us again should we have any questions regarding the report) and the Chief Inspector of Police.

I will be asking the MP and the MSP the following questions:

Whether they will be calling for a Public Inquiry into the case, as the remit of the SWIA investigation was not sufficient to address fully the actions of all the agencies in the development of this case.

Their opinion of the fact that Social Work and Health Visitor records have been destroyed in order to avoid their review by the SWIA.

Their opinion of the fact that we had informed the SWIA a number of weeks ago that they information recorded by Police, Social Work and HV was not accurate, yet this was information on which the SWIA based their report.

Their opinion of the fact that not all information held about our family was reviewed by the SWIA (for example they were unaware of the strict restrictions place on communication between Ian and our children) and therefore the investigation into the handling of our family by the authorities was not complete.

Their opinion of the fact that because the investigation into the handling of our family by the authorities was incomplete, that the same procedural errors that were criticised in relation to 'Family A' were not addressed in relation to our family.

Whether they will be demanding a wider review of cases in the Western Isles, as I am aware of at least one other case where the same procedural errors were made.

Whether they will be questioning the Crown's decision not to proceed with the case against all of the accused, when the report clearly indicates that there was sufficient evidence to continue the case to court against at least 3 people.

In relation to that, I will be asking the MP and MSP whether they will be seeking to establish whether or not Angela Stretton was given immunity from prosecution in agreement to act as principal witness in the case.

Whether they will be demanding a private prosecution against the 3 people indicated in the report as having been guilty of abuse.

I will be asking the SWIA the following questions:

Why they based the report in part on incorrect information of which they had been made aware a number of weeks ago.

Why they did not review all of the documentation relating to our family.

Why their remit did not include investigation of the involvement of NCH.

Why, in Paragraph 332 of the report, they discredit the psychologist's doubt over the reliability of the girls statements by stating "...she reached her conclusions on their relibility from records and witness statements." when this is exactly how the SWIA have conducted this report and reached their own conclusions.

Why they did not address the same procedural errors made in relation to our family, as they were addressed in relation to 'Family A'.

Whether they will now conduct a wider review of cases in the Western Isles, as I am aware of at least one other case where the same procedural errors were made.

Why they did not address the origin and credibility of the Satanic Ritual Allegations as these allegations are what drew in innocent people into this investigation.

If, as I believe someone stated, they believe this material to be outdated, then why in the bibliography have they referred to material which dates as far back as 1979.

I will be asking the Chief Inspector of Police the following questions:

Was Angela Stretton given immunity from prosecution in exchange for her agreement to act as principal witness in the case.

Why the police put such credence on the Satanic Ritual Abuse allegations, which has been discredited in the past after a number of investigations, most notably, Professor Jean La Fontaines report for the Department of Health which was published in 1994. It is notable also that this is the same police force that was involved in the Orkney case.

Why will they not now reopen the case against those that the report is suggesting were genuinely guilty of abuse.

Penny Campbell
9 October 2005