Campaigners win support from MP (From Penarth Times)

Campaigners win support from MP

DINAS Powys will be the centre of media attention later this year when two pressure groups meet to campaign for the release of jailed former headmaster Derek Brushett.

Members of Falsely Accused Carers and Teachers (FACT) have arranged a conference in the Parish Hall, Britway Road on Saturday, September 6, with Friends of Derek Brushett.

The meeting will be a focal point for FACT's new work, challenging police nvestigations like Operation Goldfinch.

Following the Goldfinch investigation, which has been vigorously defended by police, Brushett, 58, was jailed for 12 years for abusing 17 boys at Bryn-y-Don school between 1974 and 1980. He is serving his sentence at Albany Prison in the Isle of Wight.

Gail Saunders, member of FACT and founder member of Friends of Derek Brushett said: "This is the start of a national initiative, being pioneered in South Wales, but eventually moving around the country.

"We believe the testimonies that resulted in convictions are only a small part of the opinions out there. We want to encourage as many people who had experience of care homes as we can to build up a bank of positive testimonies.

"We want an overall picture, not the very narrow one used to bring about convictions."

This will be the first meeting of its kind. Gail added: "We have a long list of people to invite. MP Claire Curtis Thomas has been briefed on the initiative, and has been invited. She has offered to ask questions in the House of Commons should we have difficulty obtaining figures relating to those traced and interviewed and those who were actually in care."

As Derek Brushett maintains his innocence, support for him continues. Gail added: "I have had nothing but positive feedback from people in the village. We entrusted our children to him in Scouts, and never was there a suspicion of wrong-doing."

Solicitor Stephen Clarke is supporting the campaign. If you would like to help in the initiative, contact him on 029 2048 3181