UNITED KINGDOM
Daily Mail
Press Association
The troubled child abuse inquiry panel could be disbanded in order for a new, more powerful, body to take over, Theresa May has indicated.
The Home Secretary has written to the panel’s members setting out her plan for the inquiry to be given statutory powers, including the ability to compel witnesses to give evidence.
But the move has left members of the panel “devastated” that they could face being removed from the inquiry.
Mrs May told MPs last week that she wanted the inquiry – which is without a chairman following the resignation of two previous appointees – to be given extra powers.
That could mean waiting for a chairman to be appointed for the inquiry panel, who would then request statutory powers, or setting up a new inquiry panel under statutory terms.
The third option of a Royal Commission – as some want – would not have the powers of a statutory inquiry under the 2005 Inquiries Act and would be ”legally more risky”.
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