UNITED KINGDOM
Daily Mail
Press Association
Britain’s troubled inquiry into child sex abuse has been thrown into doubt as New Zealand high court judge Dame Lowell Goddard became its third chairman to resign.
Dame Lowell said the investigation has struggled to shake off its “legacy of failure” with her shock resignation leaving abuse victims fearing there may be delays to the long-awaited inquiry.
Dame Lowell, 67, who was appointed in April 2015, had spent more than 70 days working abroad or on holiday during her time in charge.
An inquiry spokesman said she had spent 44 days in New Zealand and Australia on inquiry business and was entitled to 30 days’ annual leave.
Campaign groups and politicians have called for a replacement to be found “urgently”.
Dame Lowell did not give full reasons for leaving but said that accepting the job had been “an incredibly difficult step to take, as it meant relinquishing my career in New Zealand and leaving behind my beloved family”.
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