The owners of several Indian takeaways in Barrow received death threats after being linked with a young woman’s claims that she was beaten regularly by a grooming gang with horrific pictures shared across social media. They maintain their innocence, and one said they felt “sick to the stomach” about the allegations.
A great deal of anger has been directed toward the local newspaper, the Mail, and there were allegations journalists had colluded in a cover-up. This was robustly denied by the newspaper group editor, Vanessa Sims, who on Saturday published a defence of their reporting:
“Serious allegations of sexual and physical abuse have been made against local businessmen and the community is angry and demanding action. While we understand this is to be completely expected – we must remember the only place a crime can be tried in a civilised society is in the law courts. There is no conspiracy between the press and the police to cover up crimes – in fact that could not be further from the truth.”
In relation to the death threats made against takeaway owners in Barrow, Cumbria police said: “A 30-year-old man, from Barrow, was arrested on suspicion of threats to kill following an incident in the early hours of 20 May. He has been interviewed by officers and he has been released under investigation.”
@MaggieOliverUK footage from barrow in Furness protests #JusticeForEllieWilliams #BarrowinFurness pic.twitter.com/PMUV6akWzD
— janice-anderson (@janicea96070418) May 23, 2020
The force said it was also investigating the recent abuse claims made in a Facebook post “concerning reports of physical and sexual abuse committed against a woman, aged in her late teens”.
Simon Fell, Barrow’s MP, asked people to contact police if they had information about the case rather than airing it on social media.
“Be kind. We are in a tinder box, in many cases locked in at home. There is at least one victim in this case. But there are also families and friends who are affected too. What you write online, what you share, and what you say will have consequences. Words matter a great deal.
Remember that there is an ongoing police investigation into these matters. That very fact means that not every piece of information is in the public domain. It is your right to ask questions, but please do not do anything which may jeopardise that investigation.
MP I am closely monitoring this case and will do everything in my power to ensure that victims are protected, and that justice is done … Right now, when tensions are high, it is easy to scapegoat. But to do that would be wrong. Doing that risks tarring innocent people and opening a box which is very difficult to close. So, please – no matter how hard it may be – I urge you to exercise calm.”
Tommy Robinson has also been filmed in the area and has updated his social media with videos indicating he is investigating the issue but also that it is an extremely complex case.
However, the sister of the girl making the accusations shared a post in agreement with a message that describes Robinson as ‘god awful, arrogant and racist’. This has seen many respond questioning why she would say this if Robinson was there to help while others agreed with what she said.
Former detective Maggie Oliver has also been promoting the case accusing the Police of engaging in a cover-up.
UNN has been investigating this since the story first appeared. We have reached out to the ‘Justice for Ellie’ campaign, Cumbria Police and the local paper but have yet to receive a response. Please watch in full below now:
Lead Correspondent | David Clews is the Lead Correspondent for UNN, with over 20 years of political/campaigning experience and a wealth of social media and communication skills David gets to the heart of what is really important to the real people of the UK.
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