Brian Eley

[Roger Lancaster]

It is offensive to the memory of Brian Eley and to his family to draw a comparison with Adolf Hitler. Besides, the latter's crimes are there for all to see.

Apologies for any offence caused to Brian's friends and family although I was trying to establish a principle rather than claim equivalence.

[MJMcCready]

And what principle would that have been?

[Roger Lancaster]

And what principle would that have been?

That the claim of "presumed innocent until found guilty in a court of law" isn't universally true.

[MJMcCready]

Well in his case the vast majority would be inclined to agree with you there.

[Paul McKeown]

It is offensive to the memory of Brian Eley and to his family to draw a comparison with Adolf Hitler. Besides, the latter's crimes are there for all to see.

Brian Eley was a monster who was a damned sight more offensive to his victims than mere words. Ridiculous - the f**ker deserved obloquy whilst alive and he will be receive no less since his death. It is doubtful that any family he may be survived by have anything good to say about that human cesspit.

[Mike Gunn]

...With Eley now dead there are two "loose ends" for want of a better thread. The first is that if anybody who was abused, by Eley or indeed anybody else, it is not too late to speak out and be supported. Survivors UK are an excellent charity that specialise in supporting male victims of sexual abuse. Secondly, if there are still individuals involved in chess who facilitated Eley's actions by turning a blind eye they should be held to account and there are proper channels for this. Neither are matters for this forum.

There is a 3rd loose end: what should the ECF do as an organisation about Eley? Many of us think that the ECF should produce a report on what happened so that all chess players and organisers can learn from it. This is what the BBC did in the case of Savile. While the ECF doesn't have the resources of the BBC it could do what it is feasible within its own resources. Justin wrote to the ECF (see above) and the current board doesn't want to do anything. There is the option of raising the matter through a motion to the ECF Council but that requires sufficient requisitionists to get the support of their organisations to do this. A report wouldn't have to name individuals (particularly the victims, but also ECF officials who dealt with the case), the point is to draw the necessary lessons.

[MJMcCready]

A problem there is that some of those who were aware of what was happening at the time worked for the ECF then and still do, one of them visits this site.

[John Upham]

A problem there is that some of those who were aware of what was happening at the time worked for the ECF then and still do, one of them visits this site.

Some of them worked for the BCF (rather than ECF) then.

Sadly both Paul Buswell and David Anderton have passed away in the same year that BRE passed away: they would have known an unknown amount of detail.

Both Stewart Reuben and Leonard had involvement in BCF matters during this period and I will look up from the Yearbook who the DoJCaE was who I think is also with us.

[MJMcCready]

Yes obviously I meant BCF - ECF.

I am led to believe by a very reliable source that Eley did indeed work for Reuben.

[John Upham]

Yes obviously I meant BCF - ECF.

I am led to believe by a very reliable source that Eley did indeed work for Reuben.

Close examination of the BCF Yearbooks will provide much useful information.

[MJMcCready]

Do they list the number of people Eley worked for at the BCF and was on the payroll so to speak?

[Roger de Coverly]

Do they list the number of people Eley worked for at the BCF and was on the payroll so to speak?

I don't think you will find that Eley had any BCF posts after the Glorney Cup incidents already discussed. That is after all as stated by Anderton.

The BCF yearbooks will no doubt show Eley with positions at various Yorkshire and regional bodies. The BCF would not have had powers over these appointments.

[Andrew Zigmond]

...With Eley now dead there are two "loose ends" for want of a better thread. The first is that if anybody who was abused, by Eley or indeed anybody else, it is not too late to speak out and be supported. Survivors UK are an excellent charity that specialise in supporting male victims of sexual abuse. Secondly, if there are still individuals involved in chess who facilitated Eley's actions by turning a blind eye they should be held to account and there are proper channels for this. Neither are matters for this forum.

There is a 3rd loose end: what should the ECF do as an organisation about Eley? Many of us think that the ECF should produce a report on what happened so that all chess players and organisers can learn from it. This is what the BBC did in the case of Savile. While the ECF doesn't have the resources of the BBC it could do what it is feasible within its own resources. Justin wrote to the ECF (see above) and the current board doesn't want to do anything. There is the option of raising the matter through a motion to the ECF Council but that requires sufficient requisitionists to get the support of their organisations to do this. A report wouldn't have to name individuals (particularly the victims, but also ECF officials who dealt with the case), the point is to draw the necessary lessons.

The distance of time means that a lot of lessons have already been learned, albeit perhaps indirectly. As I've said before a report published now would not produce any meaningful recommendations that aren't already covered by current safeguarding regulations. Also it would be impossible to build up a complete picture as many of those involved are now deceased.

I have to say - and not personally directed at you Mike - that a lot of those calling for an enquiry are motivated more by morbid curiosity than any true empathy for the victims.

[John Upham]

I have to say - and not personally directed at you Mike - that a lot of those calling for an enquiry are motivated more by morbid curiosity than any true empathy for the victims.

What is your hard evidence for this speculative claim Andrew?

[Andrew Zigmond]

I have to say - and not personally directed at you Mike - that a lot of those calling for an enquiry are motivated more by morbid curiosity than any true empathy for the victims.

What is your hard evidence for this speculative claim Andrew?

I'm not getting into a war of words other than to say I don't need any "hard evidence". A lot of the time it is human nature - I've been guilty of it myself.