BRYN ESTYN PAPERBACK SHORTLISTED FOR THE ORWELL PRIZE The postscript is available separately in pamphlet format Review extracts ‘It’s a story that has everything: personal animus, fantasy, intrigue, alleged Masonic conspiracy, bizarre sex acts and courtroom drama ... This is brilliant stuff. It is fair, measured and brave. Webster does not deny abuse – only that it was endemic in residential care. This book should be read by ... anyone interested in the human condition.’ Mark Smith, Child Abuse Review ‘Brilliant’ Brendan O’Neill, Guardian Unlimited ‘The Secret of Bryn Estyn is simply a marvellous book ...It is thorough, well balanced and as compellingly written as a mystery novel.’ Professor Mary de Young ‘In his massively researched, compelling recent book The Secret of Bryn Estyn, about the notorious North Wales child abuse scandal, Richard Webster demolishes the belief that there was a vast conspiracy of sexual corruption in Welsh care homes in the 1980s ...’ Leo McKinstry, Spectator ‘It is unarguable that Webster has a powerful case. The book will make uncomfortable reading for all those involved in investigating these cases, from police and lawyers to journalists and judges. Webster's forensic skill ... could well have been used by all of them, too. . . [His] detailed exposition of how the "scandal" unfolded, despite scant hard evidence, should be required reading for newsdesks.' _______________________________ READERS WRITE: 'T has got hold of the book before me and is well into it. He says it’s gripping and frightening and obviously courageous. Will read it ASAP myself! Good luck.' A 'I have completed reading your brilliant book and am going to read it again . . . It’s an astonishing book.' S 'I do hope someone has the courage to run reviews. Have you had any personal threats? I thought it was an impressive and scholarly book, very badly needed. I literally felt ill on reading about some of the outcomes.' Professor X 'I have just finished reading it. Absolutely superb, I shall now read it again. What a masterly job you have done!' E 'The book is excellent! I must say I had assumed it would be very informative but rather like a text book. Not at all. I found it compelling reading and difficult to put down. Well done and thank you.' J 'Thought I'd let you know that I was not really looking forward to reading 700 odd "dry, dusty" pages. But last night I couldn't put the book down till 2.30am and was again reading it at 6am!! Riveting stuff.' R 'This is a book that MUST be read and I would hope that it will feature in libraries and discussions in the National Police College, Bramshill, Police Training Centres, universities, law schools, Houses of Parliament, social services departments etc etc. . . . . I feel that in writing this book you have performed a valuable public service. I wish it booming sales.' Detective Superintendent X ____________________________________
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IN 1991 JOURNALISTS on broadsheet newspapers began to publish stories claiming that Bryn Estyn, a home for adolescent boys on the outskirts of Wrexham, lay at the centre of a network of evil – a paedophile ring whose members included a senior North Wales police officer. A massive investigation was launched which, over the next ten years, spread to care homes throughout Britain. Thousands were accused, hundreds arrested, and the prisons began to fill up with convicted care workers. Some of these pleaded guilty for the simple reason that they were guilty. But the majority continue to protest their innocence to this day. In this book Richard Webster examines how a number of genuine cases of sexual abuse became the basis for an extraordinary collective fantasy and how rumours of a non-existent paedophile ring shattered the lives of hundreds of innocent care workers and their families.
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