Twenty private schools facing claims of child sex offences in the wake of Jimmy Savile scandal
Former pupils have come forward in wake of scandal to allege abuse
Some of country's most expensive schools are facing legal action
Compensation claims of up to £400,000 could close schools say experts
Boris Johnson's former school among those accused of abuse
In December the Mail on Sunday revealed Ashdown House faced action
Twenty private schools are facing compensation claims from former pupils who say the Jimmy Savile scandal has made it 'easier' for victims of sex abuse to come forward.
Among the institutions which are facing legal action are some of the country's most expensive schools including those attended by Nick Clegg, Boris Johnson and Tony Blair.
The allegations range from rape to fondling and date from the 1950s to 90s, the Sunday Times has revealed.
A handful of solicitors have confirmed they are representing alleged victims pursuing action against schools such as Ashdown House in East Sussex and Beeston Hall prep in Norfolk.
Former pupils of Caldicott in Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire, are launching claims for compensation at the school which has seen former staff found guilty of abuse in the past.
Cover-up that let the head of Nick Clegg's prep school get away with abusing boys for decades
Teachers accused of abusing pupils at school attended by Boris Johnson and Homeland star Damian Lewis
Roland Wright, former headmaster at the school which was attended by Nick Clegg, was found guilty of indecency with a child in December.
Wright's contemporary Hugh Henry reportedly tried to commit suicide after being found in the bed of a young boy in the 1960s.
The former teacher admitted a number of offences last year.
Speaking after his former headmaster was found guilty of abuse, the Liberal Democrat leader said: 'These reports will disturb everyone, but most especially those, like myself, who were pupils at the school and were entirely unaware that such abuse was taking place.'
Beeston Hall is facing further allegations of abuse after former teacher Mervyn Rush was jailed last year for the abuse of 13 boys in the 1970s.
The claims, some of which may be as much as £400,000, could be enough to close the schools an expert said.
One alleged victim said: 'The Savile disgrace has made it easier for victims to come forward.
'I have no idea why I was chosen by my abuser from the age of eight, but I am not surprised at the number of prep schools being investigated.'
Both Beeston Hall and Denstone in Staffordshire confirmed they had been contacted by lawyers acting on the behalf of alleged victims of abuse.
The Mail on Sunday revealed in December that former pupils of Ashdown House in East Sussex had come forward to voice allegations of abuse.
Police were not investigating claims against the school which counts Boris Johnson and Homeland actor Damian Lewis in its alumni at the time, though a lawyer described the alleged abuse as 'widespread and serious'.
Former pupils have come forward in wake of scandal to allege abuse
Some of country's most expensive schools are facing legal action
Compensation claims of up to £400,000 could close schools say experts
Boris Johnson's former school among those accused of abuse
In December the Mail on Sunday revealed Ashdown House faced action
Twenty private schools are facing compensation claims from former pupils who say the Jimmy Savile scandal has made it 'easier' for victims of sex abuse to come forward.
 |
| Boris Johnson Mayor of London |
The allegations range from rape to fondling and date from the 1950s to 90s, the Sunday Times has revealed.
A handful of solicitors have confirmed they are representing alleged victims pursuing action against schools such as Ashdown House in East Sussex and Beeston Hall prep in Norfolk.
Former pupils of Caldicott in Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire, are launching claims for compensation at the school which has seen former staff found guilty of abuse in the past.
 |
| Former Caldicott headmaster Roland Peter Wright was found guilty of indecency with a child last year |
Cover-up that let the head of Nick Clegg's prep school get away with abusing boys for decades
Teachers accused of abusing pupils at school attended by Boris Johnson and Homeland star Damian Lewis
Roland Wright, former headmaster at the school which was attended by Nick Clegg, was found guilty of indecency with a child in December.
 |
| Nick Clegg Leader Liberal Democratic Party |
The former teacher admitted a number of offences last year.
 |
| Mervyn Rush (right) was jailed for abusing boys 40 years ago |
Beeston Hall is facing further allegations of abuse after former teacher Mervyn Rush was jailed last year for the abuse of 13 boys in the 1970s.
 |
| Beeston Hall |
One alleged victim said: 'The Savile disgrace has made it easier for victims to come forward.
'I have no idea why I was chosen by my abuser from the age of eight, but I am not surprised at the number of prep schools being investigated.'
Both Beeston Hall and Denstone in Staffordshire confirmed they had been contacted by lawyers acting on the behalf of alleged victims of abuse.
 |
| Denstone College in Staffordshire |
Police were not investigating claims against the school which counts Boris Johnson and Homeland actor Damian Lewis in its alumni at the time, though a lawyer described the alleged abuse as 'widespread and serious'.
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