Historic Child Sex Abuse Inquiry on the Brink of Collapse after Judge Threatens to Resign
By Charlie Bayliss
Ben Emmerson QC is thought to have fundamental differences of opinion with the new chairwoman, Alexis Jay, about the future of the independent inquiry into child sex abuse. Emerson wants to reduce the workload of Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse’s (IICSA), while Professor Jay wants to push ahead with the original plans for the project, it is believed.
The inquiry is examining historic sex abuse claims dating back more than six decades – with Westminster, the Church, schools and the armed forces all under the spotlight. The inquiry was originally scheduled to span at least 10 years – but the continuous delays could push that back further. Mr Emmerson is thought to be “actively considering” his position after being appointed by Theresa May two years ago when she was Home Secretary. If he does quit, it will raise questions about the stability of the inquiry after the first three chairwomen stood down despite collecting millions of pages of evidence. Mr Emmerson’s resignation would heap more misery on the inquiry, after New Zealand judge Dame Lowell Goddard stood down as chair just two months ago. The vacuum left by Mr Emmerson should he quit would be difficult to fill, and could lead to the collapse of the inquiry.
A legal source involved in the proceedings told the Times: "[Mr Emmerson] is a brilliant lawyer but he's an abrasive character and he has had a difficult relationship with some of the inquiry staff.” "There are lawyers who could replace him but the question will be whether they will want to sign up for a brief that could last for ten years." Home Secretary Amber Rudd has leapt to the defence of the inquiry, claiming "the terms of reference that were set up originally were the right ones".
|
.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.