Insiders reveal the ‘autocratic style, poor memory and shaky grasp of British law’ that meant Dame Lowell Goddard had to go as head of child abuse inquiry

UNITED KINGDOM
The Mail on Sunday

By AMIE GORDON FOR MAILONLINE and DAVID ROSE FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

In a damaging blow to the Government’s inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, staff have criticised former chair Dame Lowell Goddard, describing her as ‘difficult’ to work with and ‘autocratic’.

This comes after the New Zealand judge resigned on Thursday as chair of the £100 million Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA).

Sources claimed Dame Lowell, appointed by then-Home Secretary Theresa May just over a year ago, had lost the confidence of senior staff and members of the inquiry panel.

Her resignation letter was immediately accepted by Mrs May’s successor as Home Secretary, Amber Rudd.

Insiders and lawyers in the inquiry, which is already besieged by setbacks, have accused her of acting in an ‘autocratic’ manner towards staff.

One insider told The Sunday Times Dame Lowell was ‘difficult’ to work with and staff had to develop a ‘thick skin’.

Another told the paper: ‘Goddard’s treatment of the staff and of the panel of four assisting her has been autocratic.’

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