SCOTLAND
Herald Scotland
The Education Secretary has insisted he is still “wrestling” with whether to extend the remit of Scotland’s historical child abuse inquiry.
John Swinney told Holyrood’s Education Committee he has held discussions with the inquiry’s chair, judge Lady Smith, about expanding its scope.
However, he warned MSPs that widening the inquiry will inevitably extend the length of time it takes to conclude.
Ministers set up the inquiry in 2014 to examine allegations of abuse from youngsters placed in children’s homes and foster care, as well as those cared for by faith-based organisations or in long-term hospital care and boarding schools.
Survivor groups have called for the remit to be extended to cover abuse that took place out with residential settings, but in comments made last month Lady Smith said the terms had been set when the inquiry began.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.