Allegations of a conspiracy to cover up child abuse on a British overseas territory are to be investigated by independent experts, the Foreign Office has said.
The concerns raised by former employees of the St Helena government last week follow a number of allegations in recent years about child safety and police corruption, according to Foreign Office Minister Mark Simmonds.
Former Foreign Secretary William Hague agreed to set up an independent panel of experts to investigate the new allegations before leaving his post, MPs have been told.
The Foreign Office and Department for International Development continue to work closely with UK police to investigate reports of child sex abuse on the island, Mr Simmonds added.
St Helena is in the South Atlantic Ocean with a population of around 4,000, (Wikipedia has it at 5800) which is part of the overseas territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
The information about the latest allegations emerged following written questions in Parliament from Liberal Democrat John Hemming.
He asked the Foreign Office to disclose what information it has received about allegations of child abuse and police corruption on St Helena since May 2010.
Mr Hemming also questioned what steps the department has taken to ensure the opening of an airport on the island does not lead to the "development of child sex tourism" in the territory.
In response to what information the Foreign Office has received, Mr Simmonds said: "Safeguarding children in St Helena is a critical priority for the St Helena government and the UK. Yeah, apparently!
"There have been a number of allegations in recent years about child safety and police corruption.
"In response there have been several investigations and reviews into St Helena, including from independent police forces and from a child safety NGO (non-governmental organisation).
"These have resulted in detailed action plans from the St Helena government and police service to improve their ability to protect children.
"Last week, we received further allegations of a conspiracy to cover up child abuse on St Helena from former employees of the St Helena Government.
We take such allegations extremely seriously."
"In response, the then (Foreign Secretary) agreed to establish an independent panel of experts to investigate these specific allegations and related matters.
"We hope to be able to announce further details shortly."
In response to Mr Hemming's airport question, Mr Simmonds added of the latest allegations: "In response to these allegations the island's executive council said: 'We have taken great steps on St Helena to protect our children and vulnerable people against abuse of any kind. We know that there are concerns, as there are in any community, but solid progress has been made in improving our safeguarding capabilities. We know there is still more to do, and we will continue to strive for further improvements'."
The territory governments have the principal responsibility to ensure the protection children, with the UK providing practical assistance and support, the minister said.
The concerns raised by former employees of the St Helena government last week follow a number of allegations in recent years about child safety and police corruption, according to Foreign Office Minister Mark Simmonds.
Former Foreign Secretary William Hague agreed to set up an independent panel of experts to investigate the new allegations before leaving his post, MPs have been told.
The Foreign Office and Department for International Development continue to work closely with UK police to investigate reports of child sex abuse on the island, Mr Simmonds added.
St Helena is in the South Atlantic Ocean with a population of around 4,000, (Wikipedia has it at 5800) which is part of the overseas territory of St Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
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He asked the Foreign Office to disclose what information it has received about allegations of child abuse and police corruption on St Helena since May 2010.
Mr Hemming also questioned what steps the department has taken to ensure the opening of an airport on the island does not lead to the "development of child sex tourism" in the territory.In response to what information the Foreign Office has received, Mr Simmonds said: "Safeguarding children in St Helena is a critical priority for the St Helena government and the UK. Yeah, apparently!
"There have been a number of allegations in recent years about child safety and police corruption.
"In response there have been several investigations and reviews into St Helena, including from independent police forces and from a child safety NGO (non-governmental organisation).
"These have resulted in detailed action plans from the St Helena government and police service to improve their ability to protect children.
"Last week, we received further allegations of a conspiracy to cover up child abuse on St Helena from former employees of the St Helena Government.
We take such allegations extremely seriously."
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"We hope to be able to announce further details shortly."
In response to Mr Hemming's airport question, Mr Simmonds added of the latest allegations: "In response to these allegations the island's executive council said: 'We have taken great steps on St Helena to protect our children and vulnerable people against abuse of any kind. We know that there are concerns, as there are in any community, but solid progress has been made in improving our safeguarding capabilities. We know there is still more to do, and we will continue to strive for further improvements'."
The territory governments have the principal responsibility to ensure the protection children, with the UK providing practical assistance and support, the minister said.
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