Third member resigns from Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry

By Gareth Mcpherson
Courier
February 21, 2017

https://www.thecourier.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/374097/third-member-resigns-scottish-child-abuse-inquiry/

John Swinney

A third senior figure on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has resigned after the chairman ruled his new jobs risked a conflict of interest.

Glenn Houston resigned from the panel when he was asked by Lady Smith to consider stepping down from the new roles.

One of the posts is at the Disclosure and Barring service, the body which rules who can have contact with children in certain settings, and the other at Northern Health and Social Care Trust.

It is the latest in a series of resignations at the child abuse inquiry, which was set up in 2015 to examine the extent of abuse of children in care.

Susan O’Brien QC stood down as chairman in July last year over “unacceptable comments” before Professor Michael Lamb departed claiming there had been “repeated threats” to the independence of the panel from the Scottish Government.

Mr Houston, the only original member of the panel, said he accepted the roles last month after a “change in priorities in my working life”.

“Lady Smith and I have discussed the potential that at some future time, a perception of conflict of interest may arise between these appointments and my work as a panel member on the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry,” he said.

“After careful consideration of both the time commitment required to fulfil these new roles and the potential, however small, for perceptions to arise of conflict of interest, I have tendered my resignation to the inquiry.”

Lady Smith said: “Mr Houston has made a valuable contribution to the work of the Inquiry during his time as a panel member and I am very grateful to him for his support.

“I fully understand his decision and wish him well in his new ventures.

“The important work of the Inquiry continues as normal and we would encourage anyone who has relevant information, whether they have been abused themselves or know others who have, to get in touch.”

Deputy First Minister John Swinney said Mr Houston can be “very proud” of his contribution to the panel.

“Following consideration of the matter, at this stage in the inquiry’s work, I have decided not to appoint a successor,” he added.

“Lady Smith will continue as chair of the inquiry and as sole panel member.

“This will mean it will take the same format for as every other public inquiry established in Scotland under the Inquiries Act 2005.”