Dame Lowell Goddard: Resignation letter in full

UNITED KINGDOM
BBC News

Dame Lowell Goddard has written to Home Secretary Amber Rudd to resign as the head of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse.

This is the correspondence which passed between the two on Thursday 4 August.

From Dame Lowell Goddard:
Dear Home Secretary,

I regret to advise that I am offering you my resignation as Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Institutional Child Sexual Abuse, with immediate effect. I trust you will accept this decision.

Hon Dame Lowell Goddard QC

From Home Secretary Amber Rudd:

Dear Dame Lowell,

Thank you for your letter today, offering your resignation as Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.

I know that this will have been a difficult decision for you to make, and something you will have carefully considered. I was sorry to receive your letter, but I accept your decision.

We all recognise that the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse is the most ambitious public inquiry ever established in England and Wales. Under your leadership, the Inquiry has already instituted and made progress on each of its three core projects: the Research Project; the Truth Project; and the Public Hearings Project. I am grateful to you for bringing your experience to bear in devising how the Inquiry will operate, guided by its three fundamental principles: that it will be comprehensive, inclusive, and thorough.

I know how personally committed you have been to ensuring that the Inquiry is a success for those at its heart: the survivors and the victims. You have consistently demonstrated your desire to leave no stone unturned in order that the voices of those victims might be heard. It is a testament to your commitment that you have taken the difficult decision to stand down now, having set the Inquiry firmly on course, and allow someone else to lead it through to the end. With regret, I agree that this is the right decision.

I know you will want to be reassured that work continues without delay, and most importantly that victims and survivors know that the Government’s commitment to this Inquiry is undiminished. I want to be absolutely clear. The success of this Inquiry remains an absolute priority for this Government. I am determined to keep the process on track and am taking immediate steps to appoint a new Chair as soon as possible. I will, of course, consult with victims and survivors groups before making a public announcement about the appointment.

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