Bring on Chairwoman Number Four! Home Secretary Names New Head of ?100m Child Sex Abuse Probe after Three Previous Appointments All Failed
By James Tapsfield
The life-long social worker is expected to be paid less than Dame Lowell, who was handed a package worth ?500,000 including relocation from New Zealand and a ?360,000 annual salary, when the terms of her appointment are finalised. Sources claimed Dame Lowell, appointed by then-Home Secretary Theresa May just over a year ago, had lost the confidence of senior staff and members of the inquiry panel. Her resignation letter was immediately accepted by Mrs Rudd, who succeeded Mrs May in the Home Office last month. Baroness Butler-Sloss and Dame Fiona Woolf both stepped down from the role last year after concerns about their links to the establishment. Ms Jay's 2014 inquiry revealed that at least 1,400 children had been subjected to sexual exploitation in Rotherham. Ms Rudd said: 'The Independent Inquiry has a vital role to play in exposing the failure of public bodies and other major organisations to prevent systematic child sexual abuse. 'I'm delighted Professor Alexis Jay has agreed to chair the Inquiry. She has a strong track record in uncovering the truth and I have no doubt she will run this independent Inquiry with vigour, compassion and courage. 'Let there be no doubt; our commitment to this Inquiry is undiminished. 'We owe it to victims and survivors to confront the appalling reality of how children were let down by the very people who were charged to protect them and to learn from the mistakes of the past.' Prof Jay said: 'I am committed to ensuring this Inquiry does everything it has set out to do and does so with pace, with confidence and with clarity. 'Be in no doubt - the Inquiry is open for business and people are busier than ever working hard to increase momentum. 'The panel and I are determined to make progress on all parts of the Inquiry's work, including speaking to victims and survivors. 'I am determined to overcome the challenges along the way. 'I will lead the largest public inquiry of its kind and together with my fellow panel members we will fearlessly examine institutional failures, past and present and make recommendations so that the children of England and Wales are better protected now and in the future.'
Shadow minister for preventing abuse Sarah Champion said: 'We now need to see results from the inquiry. 'Survivors have had the courage to come forwards and share their stories, often for the first time, these now need to be acted on. Alexis Jay needs to swiftly bring about investigations and changes in practice so that more is done to prevent these horrific crimes. 'This inquiry has already faced a number of obstacles but we should never lose sight of those who are relying on it: abuse survivors and their families, current victims and those at risk of child abuse today.' Former Tory children's minister Tim Loughton said: 'Glad Home Secretary has moved swiftly to appoint new child abuse inquiry chair - Alexis Jay did good work in Rotherham and is highly respected.' Richard Scorer, specialist abuse lawyer at Slater and Gordon, said: 'Alexis Jay has a great track record of investigating abuse and is determined to get to the truth.' Mr Vaz this afternoon welcomed Ms Jay to the post, adding she was 'clearly a suitable candidate with vast experience in these matters'. He said: 'I hope it will be fourth time lucky as we must not let victims and survivors down.' The senior Labour MP warned he still expected a full explanation from Dame Lowell for her sudden resignation and she has been invited to give evidence to MPs on September 6. Alan Collins, one of the UK's leading experts in sexual abuse litigation from Hugh James, a law firm which represents survivors of sexual abuse who will be giving evidence to the inquiry, said: 'Having led the Rotherham abuse inquiry, Professor Jay has a deep appreciation for the needs of survivors, and should put those needs right at the heart of the inquiry's purpose. 'We represent a number of abuse survivors in the UK and overseas, some of whom will be giving evidence to this inquiry. 'They will be relieved that there will be no interruptions to the work that has already been undertaken.' Insiders and lawyers in the wide-ranging inquiry, which is already besieged by setbacks, have accused Dame Lowell of acting in an 'autocratic' manner towards staff. One insider told The Sunday Times she was 'difficult' to work with and staff had to develop a 'thick skin'. Another told the paper: 'Goddard's treatment of the staff and of the panel of four assisting her has been autocratic.' The source also claimed Dame Lowell had a poor memory, which was 'painfully obvious', while a senior QC added the former chair had become a 'laughing stock'. The son of Lord Greville Janner revealed he had planned to take Dame Lowell to court, having criticised the 'disarray' of the independent inquiry. Daniel Janner QC, the son of the Labour peer who died amid allegations of paedophilia, had sent an email detailing his plans just hours before Dame Lowell left her post last Thursday. Justice Goddard, who admitted after her appointment that she was unfamiliar with British law, was selected by Mrs May in February last year. In a statement following her resignation, the judge said she had found the job a 'struggle' and said she missed her 'beloved family' in New Zealand. Announcing the resignation last week, the Home Secretary said: 'I can confirm that Dame Lowell Goddard wrote to me today to offer her resignation as chair of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse and I have accepted. 'I want to assure everyone with an interest in the inquiry, particularly victims and survivors, that the work of the inquiry will continue without delay and a new chair will be appointed. 'I would like to thank Dame Lowell Goddard for the contribution she has made in setting up the inquiry so that it may continue to go about its vital work.' Justice Goddard, who was appointed in April 2015, quit last week in the briefest of resignation letters that was sent to Ms Rudd. She wrote: 'I regret to advise that I am offering my resign as chair of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse, with immediate effect. I trust you will accept this decision.'
Accepting the resignation, Ms Rudd replied: 'I know that this will have been a difficult decision for you to make, and something you will have carefully considered. 'I was sorry to receive your letter, but I accept your decision.' Ms Rudd described the inquiry as the 'most ambitious public inquiry ever established in England and Wales' and praised Justice Goddard for her work. 'I know how personally committed you have been to ensuring that the inquiry is a success for those at its heart: the survivors and the victims,' Ms Rudd wrote. 'You have consistently demonstrated your desire to leave no stone unturned in order that the voices of those victims might be heard. 'It is a testament to your commitment that you have taken the difficult decision to stand down now, having set the inquiry firmly on course, and allow someone else to lead it through to the end. 'With regret, I agree that this the right decision.'
ONE ABUSE INQUIRY BUT 13 DIFFERENT INVESTIGATIONS The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse is to carry out 13 separate investigations: Allegations of child sexual abuse linked to Westminster - This will be an 'overarching inquiry' into allegations of abuse and exploitation involving 'people of public prominence associated with Westminster'. It will examine high profile claims involving 'current or former' MPs, senior civil servants and members of the intelligence and security agencies. The Roman Catholic Church - This will look into the extent of any institutional failures to protect children from abuse within the church in England and Wales. The Anglican Church - This investigation will look at the extent of any institutional failures to protect children from abuse within the Anglican Church. The internet - The inquiry will look into institutional responses to child sexual abuse and exploitation 'facilitated' by the internet. This will include investigations of the policies of internet firms. Residential schools - This will investigate abuse and exploitation of children in residential schools in both the state and independent sector. Nottinghamshire councils - This will look into the extent of any institutional failures to protect children in the care of Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire councils following allegations of widespread sexual abuse and exploitation. Lambeth Council - This will examine the extent of any institutional failures to protect children after allegations of abuse in children's homes run by the London authority. Lord Janner - This will look into allegations of child sex abuse against Lord Greville Janner. The peer, who died aged 87 in December, is alleged to have abused children over a period spanning more than 30 years. Protection of children outside the UK - This will scrutinise 'grave allegations' that have emerged regarding abuse by individuals working for British institutions and organisations abroad. Sexual abuse of children in custodial institutions - This will examine the scale of abuse within the secure estate for children and young people. The inquiry has identified Medomsley Youth Detention Centre, County Durham, as the first case study. Child sexual exploitation by organised networks - This will focus on institutional responses to systematic grooming and sexual abuse of children by groups of offenders as seen in cities including Rotherham, Rochdale and Oxford. Cambridge House, Knowl View and Rochdale - An inquiry into allegations of the sexual abuse and exploitation of children residing at or attending Cambridge House Boys' Hostel, Knowl View School, and other institutions where their placement was arranged or provided by Rochdale Borough Council. Accountability and reparations for victims and survivors of abuse - This arm of the inquiry will focus on the support services and legal remedies available to victims and survivors of child sexual abuse.
|
.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.