BBC wins abuse inquiry challenge

John Owen, left, killed himself before returning to court

Education officials, governors and teachers giving evidence to the John Owen sex abuse inquiry can be identified in future after a successful application by the BBC.

The Children's Commissioner for Wales, Peter Clarke, has withdrawn a blanket anonymity order which he made at the start of the 10-month long inquiry into the actions of the late south Wales drama teacher.

Inquiry: Children's Commissioner Peter Clarke

The identity of alleged victims of Mr Owen - who killed himself in 2001 as he was awaiting trial on multiple sex abuse charges - will remain protected under current legislation protecting victims.

Mr Clarke said on Monday morning that he was concerned that any publicity about events in 1991 night harm the welfare of children and others currently associated with the school.

The BBC challenged Mr Clarke's power to order that all witnesses in the inquiry should have the right to remain anonymous.

It contested his ruling for witnesses - other than former pupils - not to be identified, as a matter of public interest.

Commissioner Clarke restarted an inquiry into allegations the late drama teacher sexually abused pupils at Ysgol Gyfun Rhydfelin in Pontypridd, where he was head of drama, more than 10 years ago.

Evidence

The inquiry, which was halted to allow further police inquiries, has already heard evidence that he had raped one girl and indecently assaulted several boy pupils.

Mr Owen went on to become a successful Welsh-language television script writer but killed himself in September 2001.

Further evidence is being heard from other pupils, teachers and school governors.

Catrin Evans, the barrister representing the corporation, told Mr Clarke that the right of anonymity of those who alleged they have been abused by Mr Owen was not in question and was protected by existing legislation.

But she argued that it should not be extended to all witnesses, such as former and current governors, teachers and education officials.

Undertaking

Lawyers for at least two witnesses had argued that their reputations could be damaged should they be named.

Ms Evans said there was no justification at all for treating those who may be criticised with "kid gloves".

She also argued that Mr Clarke did not have the power to order blanket anonymity.

She said that the BBC and the public had a right under the European Convention on Human Rights to freedom of expression and to report fully matters that were in the public interest.

The BBC gave an undertaking to abide by his ruling until his judgement on the challenge was made known.

The inquiry, which is hearing from other alleged victims on Wednesday, is continuing.

Overdose

The inquiry began in March last year but was first halted to allow further police inquiries into the case.

This is the final public session of the inquiry, and those giving evidence include other pupils, teachers, school governors and officials of the former Mid Glamorgan County Council - the education authority responsible for running the school.

Mr Owen, 49, from Tylorstown, Rhondda, south Wales, was found dead in a seaside caravan.

He had taken a lethal overdose of morphine the day before he was due back in court.

He had been charged with five counts of indecency with boys between 1974 and 1991.