SCOTLAND
Herald Scotland
Members of an independent inquiry into historical abuse of children in care in Scotland will not be appointed for several weeks, it has emerged, prompting some victims to describe the initiative as a shambles.
The inquiry was due to start work on October 1 and ministers and the inquiry team itself insist it is ‘up and running’ and has begun its task of exploring allegations of abuse in children’s homes, boarding schools, foster care and other care setting such as hospitals.
However the panel which will work with inquiry chair Susan O’Brien QC has yet to be selected, the number of people on it has yet to be determined and a government spokesman said that although interviews had taken place and a panel would be appointed in the ‘very near future’, it could still be several weeks away.
Alan Draper, parliamentary liaison officer for In Care Abuse Survivors (Incas) said: “Our concern is they have known they needed to appoint panel members since they announced the inquiry in December. It is the Government’s responsibility. What is the problem? Without a panel, it can’t be up and running, it is a bit of a shambles.”
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