Police conduct should be part of Humby-Escott investigation, Opposition leader says
Tony Wakeham believes scope of advocate's investigaton isn't broad enough
The leader of Newfoundland and Labrador's Opposition wants the province's police force put under the microscope for its handling of allegations in a widespread sexual abuse case in St. John's.
PC Leader Tony Wakeham called reporters to Confederation Building on Wednesday to say the investigation ordered by Premier Andrew Furey won't be enough to determine if public systems failed vulnerable children.
The premier directed the province's child and youth advocate to review policies and procedures within the child welfare department in the wake of reporting by CBC Investigates.
The story reported on unsealed search warrant documents — untested in court — that gave an account of what police and social workers knew about the Tony Humby and Bruce Escott investigation, and when.
In an interview Tuesday, Furey confirmed that the investigation by the advocate's office will focus on the department responsible for child welfare, and not the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Wakeham told reporters the scope should be broadened.
"I don't think it goes far enough," Wakeham said.
"I think reviewing the department is only one aspect of it. I think we ought to know, there were complaints brought forward to the police department. They didn't get acted upon. We need to know why. What happened? Why did it happen? What was the cause of that?"
The RNC didn't immediately return a CBC News request for comment, but has previously stressed that the Escott-Humby matter remains an active and ongoing investigation, while noting that "there has been dramatic shift in criminal law over the last decade with respect to sexual violence, specifically involving youth complainants."
Police questioned Humby years prior to arrest
Humby is charged with 72 offences from 2004 to 2022, involving 11 youth complainants.
According to court documents, police became aware of Humby in 2007 when a 16-year-old said he was raped by him. A rape kit was done, but Humby was cleared after one interview with the Royal Newfoundland Constabulary.
Less than a month later, the documents say, Humby was stopped by police in the middle of the night with three teenage boys in his car. Police believed they were drinking.
Sixteen years later, police revisited both of those files. Charges were laid in relation to the rape complaint, and one of the teenagers in the car came forward alleging he was also sexually abused.
Humby has pleaded not guilty and is heading to trial next March. His co-accused, Bruce Escott, has reached a plea deal and will be back in court next month. Humby and Escott were neighbours on Hussey Drive, in a trailer park off Torbay Road in St. John's.
Inquiry should be on the table, Wakeham says
Wakeham echoed concerns raised about the child and youth advocate, Linda Clemens Spurrell, and her potential conflicts in the matter.
Clemens Spurrell was an assistant deputy minister (ADM) with the Department of Children, Seniors and Social Development (CSSD) from 2019 to 2022 — critical years for the Humby investigation, according to the documents obtained by CBC Investigates.
Wakeham called for a more "independent" investigation on Wednesday — referencing the possibility of a judicial inquiry, public inquiry or some other mechanism involving a retired judge or lawyer.
"We need to have somebody who is completely independent who can do this," he said.
As ADM, Clemens Spurrell was a senior official with the child and youth services division of CSSD.
Furey said on Tuesday that the advocate is able to sift through potential conflicts, and find solutions where they are needed.
Wakeham doesn't think that's enough.
"I have grave concerns with all of those things," he said.
Furey said there's no timeline for the advocate's office to produce a report, but said he felt it was important for the government act immediately.
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