(JTA) — Greville Janner, a longtime British lawmaker and prominent member of Britain’s Jewish community who was accused of multiple incidents of child sexual abuse, has died at 87.
Janner, who served in the British Parliament’s upper House of Lords and was a former chair of the Board of Deputies of British Jews, died Saturday at his home, Agence France Presse reported.
He was not tried for the charges against him because he had dementia and earlier this month was ruled unfit to stand trial. However, a “trial of the facts” was scheduled for April in which a jury would determine whether he committed the crimes, but in which he would not be convicted. Prosecutors said they may press on with the trial, the Guardian reported.
Janner proclaimed his innocence during police probes in 1991, 2002 and 2007. His family has also insisted he was innocent.
READ: In Britain, Lord Janner’s molestation trial raises hope for closure, not justice
A member of the Labour Party who was a lord and baron, Janner served in Parliament between 1970 and 1997.
Nine males had accused him of sexual abuse in incidents taking place between the 1960s and the 1980s. Eight of the accusers were 16 or younger at the time of the alleged abuse.
According to London’s Jewish Chronicle, Janner was founding patron and chair of the Holocaust Education Trust and served as a vice president of the World Jewish Congress.
His father, Barnett Janner, was also a prominent Jewish leader and Parliament member.
READ: Jan. 2, 1961: Barnett Janner, prominent Jewish leader, knighted by queen of England
