"Police investigate abuse claims at Oratory School"

 Police confirmed yesterday that they are investigating allegations of child abuse
 against a former chaplain at the Roman Catholic school attended by the Prime
 Minister's two eldest sons.

 The inquiry into Father David Martin, who died two years ago of a suspected
 Aids-related illness, was sparked by letters sent by pupils at the London Oratory
 School alleging sexual abuse by the priest.

 Child protection officers working with social workers will look into the claims
 that Fr Martin, who died aged 44, met at least six pupils at the parish church
 adjoining the school in Fulham, west London. Two of the boys have expressed concern
 that they may have caught HIV from the priest, who was ordained in 1994 by the late
 Cardinal Basil Hume after working for 10 years as a stockbroker. 

 The local authority confirmed that no checks were carried out but added it was not
 believed Fr Martin hadany criminal record. 

 A spokesman for Scotland Yard added: "Allegations of abuse at a London school have
 been received and they are being investigated." 

 The Oratory, founded in 1863, is one of the most oversubscribed schools in London
 with five pupils applying for every place. Parents choosing a school for their
 children are attracted by its excellent exam results - 92 per cent of pupils
 achieved five or more good GCSEs this year. 

 The 1,360-pupil school, which was one of the first to become grant-maintained,
 is run under the trusteeship of the Fathers of the London Oratory, who declined
 yesterday to comment on the claims. 

 Its headteacher, John McIntosh, who has spent his entire career at the Oratory,
 was an education adviser to the Conservative government. 

 By Cahal Milmo and Ben Russell 
 6 December 2000

 The Independent

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