SCOTLAND
Herald Scotland
Susan O’Brien QC has resigned as chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said in a statement.
The incident comes less than a week after another member of the three person panel resigned citing government ‘interference’ in the probe.
He said it came after an incident in which Ms O’Brien revealed ‘views that were interpreted by an expert in child abuse trauma’ who heard them to indicate a ‘belief system that is incompatible with the post of chair of such an inquiry.’ Mr Swinney added that her comments were viewed to be ‘offensive’ to victims and unacceptable.
Mr Swinney said: “Our priority has always been to support the successful operation of the Inquiry, ensuring it continues to make progress. Sadly, the comments of the chair raised serious concerns.
“The comments made were considered by a leading abuse trauma expert to be totally unacceptable and to indicate a belief system that is incompatible with the post of chair of such an inquiry; to be offensive to survivors and to lack any context in which they could be seen as acceptable. What’s more, these actions had the potential to cause the loss of confidence of survivors – the very people at the heart of the inquiry.
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