Jillings report into Clwyd childrens homes sex case may be shelved

The Jillings report into sexual and physical abuse at children's homes in Clwyd may now never be published. The Secretary of State for Wales, William Hague, last night denounced the saga of the report, a copy of which was obtained by the Independent, as "a botched exercise which has raised more doubts than it has resolved". He yesterday came under increased pressure to hold a judicial inquiry into affair when five councils who took over from Clwyd in local government reorganisation said it was the only way forward and offered to help with the inquiry.

The report by John Jillings, former Derbyshire director of social services, linked the deaths of 12 young men to their time in care and recommended a judicial inquiry. It is claimed the report could be libellous and Mr Hague had told the councils to find a publishable version. A statement from the councils yesterday said: "We restated out belief that we cannot urgently publish an edited version of the Jillings report that would restore public confidence or allay the many concerns that have been raised."