Child Abuse Inquiry in Disarray after Chairwoman Quits in Row over "Offensive" Comments to Survivors

Daily Record
July 4, 2016

http://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/child-abuse-inquiry-disarray-after-8348561#vgov5i9egHRZs9BO.97

Susan O'Brien QC was chairing the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

THE chair of a major inquiry into child abuse in Scotland has resigned following claims she made comments that were "offensive" to survivors.

Susan O'Brien QC will no longer lead the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry , which is due to begin public hearings in November.

It comes less than a week after panel member Professor Michael Lamb stepped down, citing interference by ministers.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said a new chair will be recruited and inquiry staff will "continue to deliver the highest quality of work".

Mr Swinney revealed that he set in motion a formal process on May 20 which could have ultimately led to Ms O'Brien's removal as chair, following comments which were found to indicate a belief system "incompatible with the post".

She did not dispute that the comments were made but maintained they were acceptable in the context in which they were made, the Scottish Government said.

John Swinney

Mr Swinney said: "Our priority has always been to support the successful operation of the inquiry, ensuring it continues to make progress. Sadly, the comments of the chair raised serious concerns.

"The comments made were considered by a leading abuse trauma expert to be totally unacceptable and to indicate a belief system that is incompatible with the post of chair of such an inquiry; to be offensive to survivors and to lack any context in which they could be seen as acceptable.

"What's more, these actions had the potential to cause the loss of confidence of survivors - the very people at the heart of the inquiry.

"Given the severity of those concerns, I felt I had a duty to initiate statutory proceedings which could have led to removal of the chair from post.

"Ms O'Brien's resignation clearly now means that process has not been concluded and frees me to now share the facts of the case with Parliament. I am happy for a committee of Parliament to consider this matter and any claims made by the chair."

Glenn Houston remains as the sole member of the panel, which has been tasked with addressing seven decades of abuse of children in faith-based organisations, children's homes, foster care, long-term hospital care and boarding schools.

NSPCC Scotland said the loss of two out of three panel members within a week was "deeply concerning".

A spokesman said: "Victims of abuse display great courage in coming forward with their evidence and they must be able to have complete confidence in the inquiry and those leading it."

MSPs also warned against letting abuse survivors down.

Scottish Labour education spokesman Iain Gray said: "Survivors' confidence in the inquiry was already fragile, given that their desire for a wider remit and greater support for participants has not been listened to.

"The Deputy First Minister needs to revisit these concerns now. Simply replacing Ms O'Brien and Professor Lamb will not be enough to restore confidence in this process.

Iain Gray

"When Parliament returns the Education Committee must carry out an investigation into how this mess was allowed to develop."

The Scottish Greens' education spokesman Ross Greer said: "This inquiry is of paramount importance, and confidence in it will be severely shaken by the latest departure.

"Victims of child abuse have waited a long time, and need reassurance that the inquiry will get back on track.

"I believe we need to make urgent but careful progress in appointing new members of the inquiry. This issue has support from across the political spectrum and we owe it to survivors of abuse to make sure the inquiry is carried out."

Liz Smith, Scottish Conservative education spokeswoman, said: "This is an extremely sensitive matter and I am pleased John Swinney has accepted the resignation of Susan O'Brien QC.

"It was very clear that neither the victims nor the public at large could, in these circumstances, continue to have confidence in her chairmanship of the inquiry.

"Of paramount importance is restoring public trust and to that end we welcome the announcement by John Swinney to permit parliamentary scrutiny of his actions."