Cyril Smith was filmed by police abusing boys but they were forced to hand over the evidence and release him, reveals Newsnight

Cyril Smith

Truly shocking revelations that Cyril Smith was caught on camera abusing boys in Coronation Buildings, Lambeth by a police surveillance team, arrested and released without charge have been reported on Newsnight.

The duty sergeant was said to have been pilloried for keeping Smith in custody and forced to release him, to the astonishment of officers.

At a subsequent meeting, officers were forced to hand over all evidence, including the video footage, notes, etc. and told if they ever spoke of it again they would be breaking the Official Secrets Act.

Reporter Nick Hopkins concluded that there is an open and shut case of a remarkable cover up at the highest level.

In a brief interview on the programme, Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk said he thinks Smith was protected because would have named other public figures as paedophiles if he had been taken to court.

The Met Police has asked witnesses to come forward, however it is understood that those witnesses still alive are frightened and want a cast iron guarantee they would not suffer repercussions for doing so.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31908431