Exaro uses Twitter to garner support from more than 50 MPs on child sex abuse campaign

Investigative news website Exaro has used a Twitter campaign to get the support of more than 50 MPs in a call for Home Secretary Theresa May to hold an inquiry into the organised sexual abuse of children.

After breaking a story about a cross-party group of MPs sending a letter to May two weeks ago, the campaign has built up a “head of steam… driven by social media", Exaro claims.

And now the two original signatories are writing to every MP asking whether they will back the campaign.

Exaro editor-in-chief Mark Watts said: “What is remarkable about it is how the campaign for the inquiry has built up on Twitter.”

Here are a few of the MPs' tweets confirming their support for the campaign:

Support national inquiry into child abuse. Too many mistakes too often. @discovery77_ @time2go60 @MichalEBarnes54 @OCarroll54 @annacfryer

— John Leech (@johnleechmcr) June 5, 2014

@CassandraCogno I do support such an inquiry. The Kincora Boys' Home was in my own constituency.

— Naomi Long MP (@naomi_long) June 6, 2014

@CassandraCogno I have spoken with @tom_watson & support the efforts he & others are making to get to the truth about organised child abuse

— Richard Burden MP (@RichardBurdenMP) June 9, 2014

@UpYours999 @discovery77_ I am in favour of an inquiry but I want one that's timely,gets at the truth &provides justice &closure for victims

— Steve McCabe (@steve_mccabe) June 11, 2014

I support the campaign for an independent national inquiry into child abuse. I will work with parliamentary colleagues and others.

— Albert Owen MP (@AlbertOwenMP) June 16, 2014