Head of UK child sex abuse inquiry quits

UNITED KINGDOM
SBS

Source: AAP
1 NOV 2014

The second person appointed to lead a wide-ranging British inquiry into historic allegations of child sex abuse, including by politicians, has stepped down following criticism over her links to the establishment.

Lawyer Fiona Woolf was named to lead the government-commissioned inquiry after her predecessor, retired judge Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, quit in July over similar concerns.

Woolf’s decision on Friday came after groups representing child abuse victims issued a united call for her to be replaced.

Acknowledging their opposition, she told the BBC: “I was determined that the inquiry got to the bottom of the issues.

“And if I don’t command their confidence to run the panel fairly and impartially, then I need to get out of the way.”

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