Republicans set up abuse committee, claims DUP MP

Speaking during Northern Ireland questions at Westminster on Wednesday (October 16) he claimed “some very prominent republicans were involved.”

He asked the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland Theresa Villiers if she would join him in “calling for those people to come forward and help those many innocent victims deal with the nightmare they are still dealing with 13 years on?”

Mrs Villiers responded: “The hon. Gentleman raises some very grave matters, and I would certainly encourage anyone who has been the victim of abuse to approach the police with that information, and anyone who has knowledge of such cases to do so too.

“It is obviously crucial that this scourge to society is eliminated and that the voluntary sector, the police and the Government give all the support possible to victims of abuse.”

The outspoken East Londonderry MP did not elaborate on where his source had located the alleged abuse.

Mr Campbell made the comments as Mrs Villiers was fielding questions on the voluntary sector and the role it has played and plays in dealing with the past. He said the voluntary sector had had an unfair burden in the past.