Call for inquiry into care abuse

Wakefield Council has called for a full independent inquiry after a gay foster couple from Pontefract were convicted of abusing boys put in their care.

Ian Wathey, 40, and his partner Craig Faunch, 32, of Carleton Park, are awaiting sentencing after being found guilty at Leeds Crown Court on Monday.

They were approved as foster carers by Wakefield Council in 2003.

The council now wants an in-depth inquiry so it can see if it needs to make any changes to its procedures.

Councillor Wayne Jenkins, who has responsibility for children and young people on the council, said: "We are calling for a full independent inquiry and the council is taking legal advice on this.

"We need to do all that we can to prevent such circumstances happening again.

"We need to study what happened at the time, what happened subsequently, and whether there needs to be changes to the guidance and protocols which were followed."

Wathey and Faunch have been remanded in custody while they wait to be sentenced and have been told to expect lengthy prison terms.