An elderly man who British police believe abused several children in Welsh care homes 40 years ago has been arrested in Gozo.  

The 70-year-old suspect was taken into police custody today on the strength of a European Arrest Warrant, with local police acting on behalf of their UK counterparts at the National Crime Agency.    

UK officials have sought the man in connection with Operation Pallial, an independent investigation into historic abuse of children in care in northern Wales. 

Operation Pallial was launched by (then) UK prime minister David Cameron in November 2012 following hundreds of sex abuse claims dating back decades in Welsh care homes. 

Police suspect the elderly man was involved in sexually abusing minors 29 times between 1976 and 1978 and also harbour suspicions related to child pornography which date between 2007 and 2013. 

The man is expected to be arraigned in court before duty magistrate Donatella Frendo Dimech later today. 

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