UNITED KINGDOM
Daily Mail
By PRESS ASSOCIATION
A child sex abuse inquiry panel member has defended its fourth chairwoman after o ne of the largest victims’ groups involved withdrew from the probe – branding it an “unpalatable circus”.
Drusilla Sharpling insisted Professor Alexis Jay was “ideally” qualified for the job as t he Shirley Oaks Survivors Association (Sosa) and Labour MP Chuka Umunna called for her to be replaced.
Earlier, Sosa delivered a blistering critique of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) – describing it as a “stage-managed event” which has “lurched from crisis to crisis”.
Sosa represents victims affected by abuse at children’s homes run by Lambeth Council in south London.
It said it feared Prof Jay is “an uninspiring leader” and it does not believe she is the right person to uncover the truth behind allegations of historical abuse.
Downing Street and Home Secretary Amber Rudd have voiced their support and Ms Sharpling said Prof Jay’s work exposing prolonged abuse in Rotherham meant she had the expertise needed.
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