A WOMAN who was sexually abused in a children’s home about 70 years ago deserves at least an independent inquiry, a Southampton MP says.

Mo Simmons said she and her two brothers suffered “terrible abuse” during their time at council-owned Hollybrook Children’s Home in Southampton in the 1950s.

Last week she urged Southampton City Council to “cut the red tape” and help her “get justice” as she called on the authority to launch an investigation.

But city bosses said the council was formed after the period in question and therefore it has no legal power.

Southampton Itchen MP Royston Smith said that an independent inquiry is “the least” that Ms Simmons deserves.

He said: “It is crucial that what happened at Hollybrook Children’s Home is looked into fully. An independent inquiry would be a suitable proposal. It’s the least that Mo Simmons deserves.

“This case is very concerning and I sympathise with Ms Simmons that she has not been able to get a full response or inquiry. This must very tough for Mo and coming forward and working to get justice is a very brave thing to do especially with what she has been through.”

Mr Smith also said it is “encouraging” that Southampton City Council is talking to Ms Simmons and Hampshire County Council.

Last week the city council said it will do everything it can to support Ms Simmons.

But it said it will not be able to confirm whether there will be an inquiry until after talks with the county council.

The county council was responsibe for Hollybrook Children’s Home over the past decades as Southampton City Council was formed in 1997.

Alan Whitehead, MP for Southampton Test, has also pledged to support Ms Simmons.

He said: “I will call Mo to offer my support and if Mo is in agreement, I will write to Hampshire County Council on her behalf.  I hope that this will assist with Mo’s quest for justice.  I will ask Hampshire County Council to disclose any records they hold from the period and to write to Mo regarding any action they plan to take.  I will do all I can to assist Mo with this very painful and difficult case.”