THE only Scottish victim of a notorious borstal rapist is urging the UK Government not to drag its heels over calls for an inquiry into abuse at the detention centre.

As reported in the Evening Times last week, John McCabe, from East Kilbride, was raped every night for almost six months by Neville Husband, a senior prison guard at Medomsley Detention Centre, in County Durham, during the 1970s and 80s.

John, 48, gave up his anonymity to pursue justice for himself and others whose abuse was not taken into account by a criminal trial which saw Husband jailed for 10 years.

Husband was released in 2009, after serving just over half his sentence, and died a year later.

John was also raped by another man, under Husband's supervision, while a woman looked on.

With the support of Michael McCann, MP for East Kilbride, John is demanding an inquiry.

When the Evening Times asked the Ministry of Justice to comment, an MOJ spokeswoman replied: "It would be inappropriate for us to comment on this case while there is ongoing litigation."

The litigation refers to a compensation case by Husband's victims.

John said: "I'm not surprised they are hiding 'no comment'.

"All any of the victims want is for the police and Government to stop covering it up and apologise.

"Husband is dead, but there are others who must answer questions."

Mr McCann said the civil case should have no bearing on any future criminal proceedings or public inquiry.

He said: "I find the statement from the Ministry of Justice offensive and grossly insensitive.

He added: "Husband is the only individual prosecuted for abuse, information is now available however about abuse outside Medomsley, which took place under Husband's supervision.

"That needs to be investigated, as does the suggestion that other prison officers and the detention centre's hierarchy knew what was going on and did nothing.

"Finally, Durham Police have to answer this direct charge; did young men report this abuse and why did your organisation not take action?

A spokeswoman for Durham Constabulary said that there was no information to substantiate whether complaints were made to the force.

stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk