Top Scottish School In Abuse Claim

A top Scottish military school with links to the Royal Family is the latest institution in Scotland to face allegations of historical sexual abuse.

There have been fresh claims about a paedophile ring operating at Queen Victoria School in Dunblane, which is funded by the Ministry of Defence with allegations dating back to 1991.  It has been confirmed by the Ministry of Defence that claims of historical sex abuse are now being “investigated via the appropriate agencies”.

Initial Reports of Historical Abuse

The first reports of child abuse came from Glenn Harrison, a former housemaster at the boarding school initially warned parents that their children could be in danger and were at risk. Despite reporting the incidents he believed to be taking pace to the Central Scotland Police, he was informed that the school was covered by the Official Secrets Act and as a result they could not further investigations.  Mr Harrison was also mistreated and harassed as a result of his claim with police responding to his complaint by breaking down the door to his flat and escorting him from the school premises to be interviewed by detectives.

According to Harrison some of Scotland’s most high-profile members visited the school known as “Friends of QVS” and would take often take young boys away from the weekend with pupils returning “distressed but flush with cash.” The amount of distress put on pupils led to Mr Harrison and his wife refusing to sit next to Prince Andrew at an event “in protest at the many unheard voices and suffering of young boys.”

The NSPCC and the Scotland Office inspectors found evidence of bullying but said other allegations had been “exaggerated” by Mr Harrison and that they would not be following up his claims of historic sexual abuse.  One of those that Mr Harrison had been concerned about went on to carry out one of the worst massacres in Scotland, at Dunblane Primary.

Fresh Allegations of Abuse

Despite the reports of Glenn Harrison going uninvestigated, a retired businessman made a formal complaint to Police Scotland in 2003 regarding the dismissive nature of claims made by Harrison. Gaining support from his MP, Tom Minogue issued a formal complaint. He said: “Glenn Harrison reported all this before anybody had any suspicions about Thomas Hamilton, never mind Nicholas Fairbairn or Robert Henderson.

“With each passing revelation, it adds more credence to what he alleged in 1991.

“The stories he told me were absolutely harrowing. I don’t know whether boys were abused from that school, but I do know Glenn Harrison was convinced they were, and he is a sincere, genuine and serious man.”

A MoD spokeswoman said: “These cases of historic abuse are being dealt with and investigated via the appropriate agencies. In advance of the completion of any investigations or the finalisation of any inquiry, it would be inappropriate to comment on any aspect of the allegations until a conclusion is reached. The MoD is co-operating fully with the investigations.”

Detective Chief Inspector Elaine Galbraith, of the Police Scotland Public Protection Unit, said there were no current investigations into any persons connected with Queen Victoria School, but any previous reports would be assessed and reviewed if necessary.

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