UNITED KINGDOM
Premier
Thu 29 Sep 2016
By Alex Williams
The most senior lawyer on the national inquiry into how the Church and other UK institutions dealt with the sexual abuse of children learned of his suspension from news reports on the internet.
Ben Emmerson QC has been taken off-duty after the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) had “recently become very concerned” about aspects of his leadership, a spokesperson for the probe said.
Lawyers acting for the inquiry’s counsel said last night: “Mr Emmerson has read this evening on the internet that he has been suspended from the [IICSA]. If, and when, allegations are put to him, he will respond appropriately.”
The suspension of Mr Emmerson has been seen as another dent to the credibility of the IICSA, which was established by the then-home secretary Theresa May in 2014.
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