Detectives investigating historic claims of child abuse highlighted by Labour MP Tom Watson have arrested two men from Norfolk and East Sussex on suspicion of sexual offences, Scotland Yard said.
A man aged 66 from Norfolk and another aged 70 from East Sussex were held this morning on suspicion of sexual offences.
The allegations are linked to Elm Guest House and the Grafton Close care home in Barnes, south west London.
Commander Peter Spindler, head of the MPS Specialist Crime Investigations, said on Wednesday; "This is a complex multi-agency investigation supported by the NSPCC, CEOP and Richmond Social Services involving non-recent allegations of sexual assault against children.
"It is vital that anyone who has been affected by or has information about activity in the early 1980s at the Elm Guest House, or the Grafton Close care home, in Barnes speaks to the NSPCC on their Helpline on 0808 800 5000, or their local police."
The investigation has been labelled 'Operation Fernbridge.'
Watson, who became a household name after his dogged pursuit of News International over phone hacking, first brought up the allegations during PMQs in October.
The West Bromwich MP asked a hushed House of Commons: "The evidence file used to convict paedophile Peter Righton, if it still exists, contains clear evidence of a widespread paedophile ring.
"One of its members boasts of his links to a senior aide of a former prime minister who says he could smuggle indecent images of children from abroad."
Watson continued: "The leads were not followed up, but if the files still exists I want to ensure that the Metropolitan Police secure the evidence, re-examine it and investigate clear intelligence suggesting a powerful paedophile network linked to Parliament and Number 10."
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