The investigation by Scotland Yard's Obscene Publications Unit into the exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery in north London followed four complaints by outraged visitors who claimed the colour pictures were indecent and obscene. They showed images of naked and semi-clothed youngsters wearing a variety of animal masks.Ī police raid on the gallery last week sparked a fierce debate between child safety campaigners and the so-called 'liberal lobby' who warned of the dangers of censorship.Īt the centre of the investigation was a particularly graphic shot of a small naked girl lying beneath the legs of a partly clothed older child.ĭetectives believed it had 'clear sexual connotations'. They argued at a meeting with CPS lawyers on Wednesday that such an image on the Inter-net would have automatically led to indecency charges.
