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Abuse Inquiry Chair Rejects Call for "Complete Review"

Sky News
September 8, 2016

http://news.sky.com/story/abuse-inquiry-chair-rejects-call-for-complete-review-10570348

Professor Alexis Jay took over from Dame Lowell Goddard

The Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has insisted its remit can be met, despite criticism from one of her predecessors and a survivors' group.

Professor Alexis Jay is the fourth person to lead the inquiry after Dame Lowell Goddard quit last month.

It was set up in 2014 amid claims of an establishment cover-up following allegations that a paedophile ring operated in Westminster in the 1980s.

In a memo seen by The Times earlier this week, Dame Lowell said the inquiry was too ambitious, and called for a "complete review".

The New Zealand High Court judge said there was an "inherent problem" in its "sheer scale and size".

Concern was also expressed by a survivors' group.

The Shirley Oaks Survivors Association, which is 600-strong, told the BBC it did not believe the inquiry was "truly independent", and would recommend withdrawal from the Lambeth section of it.

But in a letter to core participants, Professor Jay defended the inquiry.

"Its scale and scope are a substantial challenge, but the Panel and I are absolutely committed to delivering results with pace, confidence and clarity," she wrote.

Dame Lowell Goddard has called for a 'complete review'

The professor, who also led an inquiry into child sexual abuse in Rotherham, went on: "I would like to reassure any victim or survivor who is concerned that their experience may be excluded from our work that I have no intention of asking the Home Secretary to revise or reduce our terms of reference.

"I am confident that we can adapt our working methods to make our task more manageable and to progress with our work more quickly."

Professor Jay admitted it was not an easy undertaking: "It is an operational challenge to mount an Inquiry of this magnitude.

"We are making progress. We have a new evidence management system in place which will help our legal teams process the evidence we have been receiving.

"The Panel and I intend to be more visible as we move forward and to keep you regularly informed about the work of the Inquiry.

"My appointment as Chair marks the start of a new phase.

"I very much look forward to working with you as the Inquiry continues."

The inquiry's brief stretches back 60 years and covers institutions including the church, schools, councils and Westminster.

It is expected to run for at least 10 years and cost around ?100m.

 

 

 

 

 




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