Butler-Sloss steps down from Westminster child abuse inquiry

Elizabeth Butler-Sloss, the retired judge appointed by the Home Office to probe allegations of child sex abuse by MP’s, has stepped down from the inquiry following widespread concern about her links with the establishment of the time.

Butler-Sloss had faced intense criticism from victims’ groups because her brother, the late Sir Michael Havers, was attorney general during the 1980s when reports of child abuse were allegedly not examined properly.

The retired judge informed the home secretary, Theresa May, of her decision over the weekend. May, who appointed Butler-Sloss last week, had strongly defended her as the criticism mounted.

Number 10 confirmed today that following days of media scrutiny, Lady Butler-Sloss had taken the decision to withdraw from the investigation even though she still had the “full backing” of the prime minister and home secretary.

The prime minister’s spokesman said: “Dame Elizabeth has taken the decision to step down as the head of the panel inquiry. It is entirely her decision. Understanding and respecting her decision, the government’s view has not changed: that she would have done a first-class job as chair of the panel. But she has taken that decision.”

Pressure on Lady Butler-Sloss grew as it emerged that her late brother was alleged to have tried to prevent ex-MP Geoffrey Dickens airing claims about a diplomat in parliament during the 1980s. It intensified over the weekend, after reports that she told a victim of abuse that she did not want to include the allegations in a review of how the Church of England dealt with two paedophile priests because she “cared about the Church” and “the press would love a bishop”.

Earlier on today, Vera Baird, former solicitor general and now a Labour police and crime commissioner, said Lady Butler-Sloss’s appointment had been “an error”.

Ms Baird told the BBC that while the retired judge’s “personal qualities” were not in contention, there was a danger that her position on the probe could give the impression that further cover-ups were taking place.

“The difficulty is that she is, through her family, linked to the very establishment that this inquiry is being set up to look at,” Ms Baird said. “The conflict of interest is even bigger here where we have a vulnerable community of people who say they have been not allowed to get justice?.?.?.?it has got to be done by somebody who is an outsider to this, who is completely independent.”

It is expected that ministers will now take a few days to find a replacement.