The team leading the renewed search for the Beaumont children has come under fire, accused of engaging in a farcical smear campaign against suspect Harry Phipps.

The niece of Harry Phipps has broken her silence slamming claims she is linked to the latest privately-funded dig underway at the former Castalloy site in North Plympton to find the Beaumont children.

Nearly 60 years after the three Beaumont children went missing from Glenelg, it’s been confirmed the family member of a key suspect in their disappearance was related to the siblings by marriage.