SCOTLAND
Scotsman
SURVIVORS of historical child abuse have branded a long-awaited inquiry “a shambles” as work finally gets underway today.
Led by Susan O’Brien QC, the inquiry will look into allegations of physical and sexual abuse endured by children in care dating back decades.
The inquiry is expected to report to Scottish Government ministers within four years and will provide a “public acknowledgement” of survivors’ suffering.
But survivors’ groups have expressed frustration at the lack of progress so far, including failure to appoint a panel to assist Ms O’Brien and failure to respond to a request for survivors to be legally represented in accordance with the Inquires Act.
Alan Draper, a spokesman for In-Care Abuse Survivors (Incas), said: “The failure to appoint a panel to assist Susan O’Brien prior to the start date suggests incompetence and will only result in yet further delays to the work of the inquiry, as we assume that anybody appointed will not be able to start work immediately .
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