Senior judge Lady Smith named new head of child abuse inquiry

SCOTLAND
Scotsman

A SENIOR judge has been appointed to lead the independent public inquiry into the abuse of children in care, weeks after its previous chair quit following claims she had made comments that were “offensive” to survivors.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced the Right Honourable Lady Smith will fill the vacancy at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, praising her “leadership, independence and sensitivity”.

The appointment comes almost a month after her predecessor Susan O’Brien QC resigned, with formal proceedings to remove her from the high-profile role and Mr Swinney having said her comments “raised serious concerns”.

In her resignation letter, Ms O’Brien said she could “not reassure the public that this inquiry will be conducted independently of government”.

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