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Goddard inquiry: Outrage as bishop jailed for sex offences given public funding for legal team

By Robert Mendick
Telegraph
July 30, 2016

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2016/07/30/goddard-inquiry-outrage-as-bishop-jailed-for-sex-offences-given/

Peter Ball, the disgraced former bishop

Dame Lowell Goddard


A disgraced bishop jailed for a string of sex offences has been given public funding for a legal team at the Government’s child sex abuse inquiry, The Telegraph can disclose.

The decision to pay for lawyers, costing taxpayers up to £200 an hour, to defend the reputation of Peter Ball, the former Bishop of Gloucester and of Lewes, has outraged his victims.

Ball is the first convicted sex offender to be granted taxpayer funds, setting a precedent that could pave the way for dozens of paedophiles to get the same deal.

He received the legal funding because he “may be subject to explicit criticism by the inquiry”.

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse, the largest in British legal history, will run into the next decade at a potential cost of hundreds of millions of pounds.

Ball, 84, was sentenced last October to 32 months in jail after pleading guilty to indecent assault and misconduct in a public office over the grooming of young men for sex. He has been called a “sadistic sexual predator”. One of his victims later committed suicide.

The inquiry, chaired by Dame Lowell Goddard, is investigating claims that the Church of England and other senior figures for years helped to cover up Ball’s abuse prior to his conviction.

But at a preliminary hearing last week, it emerged that Ball has been given legal representation paid for out of public funds at a rate of up to £200 an hour for barristers and £150 an hour for solicitors.

Ball has been given “core participant” status, meaning he is also entitled to disclosure of all documents relating to his offending; to make opening and closing statements at the inquiry; to suggest lines of inquiry; and to apply to ask questions of witnesses.

By the time public hearings are held into his offending next year, he should be out of prison.

Reverend Graham Sawyer, one of Ball’s victims who has waived his right to anonymity, said: “I do find it really troubling. It is disturbing. I am not quite sure what new information can be gained.”

Phil Johnson, another of Ball’s alleged victims and spokesman for the Minister and Clergy Sexual Abuse Survivors group, said: “One does have to question the validity of spending public money on giving somebody legal representation who is clearly guilty and has admitted it. The concern from survivors is that Peter Ball will be out of jail by the time we have the hearings. This is hugely distasteful.

“This opens the door to any other sex offenders to be funded as well. It sets a dangerous precedent.”

Lawyers have questioned the need to give Ball legal funding and core participant status since the inquiry is focused on institutional failings rather than the behaviour of individuals.

David Greenwood, representing six alleged victims of Ball at the inquiry, said: “Why should he have public funds to present any kind of defence? He has been thoroughly investigated and his reputation cannot be damaged any further. He doesn’t need a lawyer.

"This is going to make it hard for Goddard to turn down core participant status for other sex offenders and paedophiles. It is very uncomfortable to see it happening and it will be very uncomfortable for the victims to have to sit through it.”

Another lawyer close to the inquiry said: “I was really surprised Ball was given funding. The issue is about how he was allowed to get away with it by the Church not about his offending. He has already been investigated and pleaded guilty.”

The inquiry heard last week that Mr Ball was one of 36 individuals and institutions granted core participant status for its Anglican Church investigations.

Ball requested he be given core participation status in February. In her ruling granting Ball his request, Dame Justice Goddard said: “I am satisfied that Peter Ball has played a direct and significant role in relation to matters under investigation and/or has a significant interest in an important aspect of the matters under investigation and/or any other reason.

"In reaching this decision, I have had regard to the scope of the investigation which will specifically consider the sexual offending by Peter Ball, former Bishop of Lewes and subsequently Bishop of Gloucester, as one of its case studies.”

Presently Dame Justice Goddard’s inquiry is examining 13 separate strands with the first public hearings due to take place next year. The inquiry could last as long as ten years, according to some lawyers, given the huge scope of its investigations.

A spokesman for the inquiry said: “Peter Ball was granted core participation designation on the basis that there is a specific case study in connection with the institutional responses to his offending.

“While the Chair would have to consider any applications received from other perpetrators, the reasons for her decision to designate him as a core participant and grant his request for legal funding are specific to the particular investigation and case study.”

 




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