Justice delayed: The investigation into abuse at Formby High School continues
‘By killing himself Farquharson gave himself the best defence in the world’
Dear readers — we hope this newsletter reaches you just in time to offer some solace from the gale force winds that nearly blew us away yesterday. In somewhat of a role reversal, it is Laurence who is off enjoying his holiday today, instead of budding international jetsetter Abi…
Over the weekend, investigative reporter Matt O’Donoghue returned to our ranks with Part One of his investigation into the Huyton Firm. The piece examines how brothers Vincent and Francis Coggins were finally brought to justice using messages infiltrated by the police on the now infamous app EncroChat.
Editor’s note: To read Part Two of Matt’s thrilling investigation into the Coggins brothers — which is due to drop next week — you’ll have to be a paying member of The Post. It costs just £7 a month to become one of our members, and it’ll give you access to our entire back catalogue of articles. You’ll also be first on the list for an invite to our events, where you’ll get to ask our writers to spill their secrets about some of our biggest investigations and stories to date.
From today’s sponsor: Time is running out to get 50% off an annual digital subscription to the Financial Times. We link to FT stories in this newsletter every week because its writers produce some of the best long reads and incisive political coverage in the UK. With this offer, which ends this Thursday, you can stay informed for just £4.40 per week, enjoy trusted news reporting, and dive into fantastic essays and cultural writing. Click here to claim the offer before it’s gone. Thanks to the FT for sponsoring today’s edition.
The big story: The investigation into abuse at Formby High School continues
Top line: Sefton Council has denied it is refusing to accept liability after failing to investigate reports of sexual abuse at a council-run school over 30 years ago. Dozens of students at Formby High School have accused former teacher Ian Farquharson of sexual abuse, and they’re attempting to sue the council for not properly investigating him at the time. While the council said it is willing to work with claimants to settle the dispute, victims say the council is refusing to acknowledge its role in the matter. The council denies this is the case.
Context: Ian Farquharson was the former head of lower school at Formby High School between 1975 and 1992, and he has been accused of being a prolific sexual predator. In 1980, he was taken to trial on charges of gross indecency against several male pupils at the school. It was alleged he bribed his pupils with lemonade after school hours and encouraged them to commit sex acts while he watched through a keyhole.
However, he was cleared of this charge; his defence claimed the boys who had reported him were simply trying to “get him into trouble” after he had disciplined them. After the case was dismissed, he was allowed to carry on teaching.
In the years that followed, allegations of sexual abuse continued to circle Farquharson. One former pupil told ITV News last week it was “common knowledge” he was a paedophile, describing how Farquharson got permission from the headteacher to take him out of class twice a week. During these one-on-one meetings, Farquharson allegedly sexually assaulted him.
In 1992, another complaint was made about Farquharson to the then-headmaster of the school. Hours after he was informed of this complaint raised by a pupil, Farquharson drove to North Wales and committed suicide.
Legal action: Now, a total of 66 pupils who allege they were abused by Farquharson have begun legal action against Sefton Council, claiming it failed to properly investigate allegations made against him. However, in a recent hearing at Liverpool County Court, a barrister acting for the local authority stated the council would not be admitting liability as there had been no conviction because of his suicide.
“The absurdity of this argument is that once a person is dead, criminal proceedings cannot be pursued,” a solicitor acting for the pupils responded. “By killing himself Farquharson gave himself the best defence in the world.”
The council has since denied this, explaining to take cases forward they need medical evidence and more information about each claimant. A spokesperson for the council said: “The court has ordered the claimants to provide this information to the court and the council within the next six months. The council continues to engage with the claimants and to seek to bring these matters to a conclusion.”
Bottom line: So far, only 16 claimants have received a settlement from the council since the case was launched. With over 60 claimants in total, it’s clear it will take much longer for most victims to get the justice they’ve pursued for over three decades – if, indeed, they ever will.
Home of the week
We adore this five bedroom semi-detached house in Birkenhead with its superb clashing décor. Of course, if bold wallpapers and quirky mirrors aren’t your thing, there’s plenty more to like, including Victorian archways between rooms and ample space for a herb garden. It’s up for £240,000 — take a look here.
Post Picks
😂Tonight, a set of stellar comedians take over Hot Water Comedy Club for a night of fundraising for children’s hospice Zoe’s Place. Highlights include sets from Adam Rowe, Paul Smith and Jamie Hutchinson. Doors at 7pm.
📙Waterstones welcomes esteemed author Kate Summerscale on Wednesday. She’ll be discussing and signing her gripping new book The Peepshow: The Murders At 10 Rillington Place.
🍸On Saturday, the annual Gin and Rum Festival returns to Lutyens Crypt. Discover new favourites with samples from hand-picked guest distillers whilst enjoying music from DJs and live entertainment.
🎸Then on Sunday, fans of New Order can dance the night away at The Cavern Club with a show from tribute band True Order. Doors open at 7.30pm.
Your Post briefing
An update for those of you who followed Abi’s four-part investigation into homelessness charity Big Help Project, and its former CEO Peter Mitchell. Social Value Housing, just one of over 20 companies connected to Mitchell in his sprawling Big Help empire, has relaunched its website. Back in September, the website was taken down when The Post uncovered Social Value Housing had falsely advertised they were a partner of Homes England: the government’s biggest agency for housing. At the time, a spokesperson for Homes England told us they’d be seeking “the swift correction” of Social Value Housing’s website to remove any mention of their name. Despite this, the relaunched website still claims Social Value Housing is a Homes England partner. It’s not the only error we’ve found: in a series of press releases churned out by the company this month, the CEO of Social Value Housing — a proudly named Peter Michelle — says he is “made up” that the company has officially added 100 homes to its portfolio. We’d suggest a proof read and thorough fact check before the site’s next update…
The home of Axel Rudakubana, the teen accused of killing three girls in Southport in July, has allegedly become a tourist spot, with people posing outside his family home for photographs. Residents of the Old School Close in Banks, where Rudakubana lived, have reported that "cars are driving down slowly and turning around, people are having their photos taken outside [Rudakubana’s] house, people come walking down with their dogs acting as if they’ve gone the wrong way. People have even been seen getting off the bus and walking down here to have a look”. Rudakubana is set to appear in Liverpool Crown Court for a plea hearing this week, with his trial set for January.
On the grapevine: American rapper ASAP Rocky is reportedly set to be the new owner of Tranmere Rovers. He is part of an investment group headed up by Donald Trump’s former lawyer, Joe Tapocina, who is organising the takeover of the club. An insider close to Tapocina said he’s keen to get the rapper involved as he believes celebrity status may bolster the club’s reputation. He wouldn’t be the first to involve an American celebrity in local football — back in 2020, Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds purchased Wrexham AFC in Wales and have regularly been seen at games. Jack previously covered the rumours of Tapocina’s involvement with the Rovers — catch up on that here.
And Maghull railway station has made it through to the finals of the “World Cup of Stations”, up against Kings Lynn station in Norfolk and Dorridge station in the West Midlands. The competition is hosted by the Rail Delivery Group, and this year has focused its efforts on celebrating nearby amenities and local businesses. Maghull has its integrated coffee shop, The Coffee Carriage, to thank for its success, with residents praising its rocky road cakes and sandwiches. The winner is set to be announced tomorrow.
Recommended reads
“The two last remaining indie video rental shops in the UK are each run by a guy named Dave. Different Daves. There’s 20th Century Flicks down in Bristol, but for anyone up North looking for good, old-fashioned film perusing, they’ll have to head to the Dave in Bebington, Merseyside.” Author Tilly Foulkes speaks to the owner of Snips, the North’s last film rental shop in this piece for STAT Magazine.
This piece published by our sister publication The Mill is a must read. For old time Posties, you may remember a journalist who used to write for us named Harry Shukman. For the last 15 months, Harry has been working undercover, investigating Britain’s far-right groups. A documentary is set to air about his investigation tonight on Channel 4. Tune in at 10pm to watch after you check out The Mill’s interview.
Thanks to the FT for sponsoring today’s edition — get your discounted subscription now.
Anything to do with the extreme left-wing agitators of Hate Not Hope should be treated as being as factual as anything pronounced by UNRWA, UN, Hamas, Hezbollah etc, that is it should be regarded as a complete load of b#++#$%s.
We still await the arrest of that groups mouthpiece for the hateful lies he spread during the riots.