LANCASHIRE police have refused to answer a series of questions relating to reported abuse by priests at St Joseph’s Catholic seminary.

In 2006, the force was told of allegations suggesting Father Michael Higginbottom and other priests had abused a pupil at the college in West Lancashire.

Despite Higginbottom being based in Darlington at the time the initial reports were made, Durham Constabulary could find no record of having been informed of the allegations facing him and of having a suspected sex offender living on their patch.

The initial police investigation was eventually dropped, with the Catholic Church paying the alleged victim £35,000 in an out of court settlement.

In 2016, Higginbottom was again accused of the abuse of a teenager, with the force’s subsequent investigation eventually leading to his imprisonment.

Following the priest’s conviction, The Northern Echo put a series of questions to Lancashire Police.

We asked: Why was the initial 2006 investigation discontinued?

Were Higginbottom and other priests then accused of abuse interviewed? If so, how many times?

Were any other clergy members interviewed as part of this investigation? If so, how many and what was the outcome?

Did that initial investigation lead to any others? If so, what were the findings and outcomes?

Was the Catholic Church informed of the investigation and did the Church provide any help or assistance?

In light of Fr Higginbottom's conviction and disturbing claims that other members of staff at St Joseph’s seminary were involved in systemic child abuse will Lancashire Police re-examine this case?

Would Lancashire Police like to hear from anyone else who was at St Joseph’s during the 1970s and 80s who may have been the victim of sexual abuse?

Were the team investigating the 2016 allegations aware of the initial police investigation? If not, why not?

We received no response to the questions but Detective Sergeant Steve Ollerton responded to Higginbottom’s conviction.

Praising the victim’s courage in coming forward, he said the “predatory sex offender” had breached his position of trust in the worst way imaginable, adding: “I am pleased he has been brought to justice and will now be in prison for a long time.

“I hope the result will allow his victim to begin to put this ordeal behind him and move forward with his life.”

He urged anyone who has been the victim of a sexual offence to report it to police, saying: “We take all reports seriously and ensure that victims are treated sensitively and professionally at all times.”