Rotherham report author joins government abuse probe

The author of the Rotherham sex abuse report will serve alongside lord mayor of London Fiona Woolf on the Government’s overarching inquiry into child sex abuse, the Home Secretary announced today.

Professor Alexis Jay has been appointed expert adviser to the panel, which is to be chaired by Ms Woolf.

Ben Emmerson QC will be counsel to the inquiry, which will consider whether public bodies and other non-state institutions have taken seriously their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse.

Theresa May said she was confident the panel would carry out a robust and thorough inquiry which would challenge individuals and institutions “without fear or favour”.

In a written parliamentary statement, the Home Secretary added: “The panel represents a diverse range of experience which includes social care, academia, law enforcement, health, media, the voluntary sector and those with experience of child sex abuse.”

The other members are Sharon Evans, Ivor Frank, Dame Moira Gibb, Professor Jenny Pearce, Dru Sharpling, Professor Terence Stephenson, Graham Wilmer and Barbara Hearn.

Mrs May said the panel would consider matters dating from 1970 to the present, but added that the scope could be extended if evidence is provided that shows this is necessary.

Commenting on her choice of Ms Woolf as chairwoman, Mrs May said she had enjoyed a “long and distinguished” career throughout which she had demonstrated the “highest standards of integrity”.

She said: “I am confident that she will lead the work of the panel with authority, and that under that leadership the panel will get to the truth of these issues.

“They will do so on behalf of victims past and present to ensure that the sexual abuse of children is never again a hidden crime and that the past failings are acknowledged.”

Responding to the appointment of the other panel members, Ms Woolf said: “This is an inquiry of enormous public importance and I am honoured to be leading it.

“In the light of recent media reporting, I have written to the Home Secretary, detailing my contacts with Lord and Lady Brittan as well as any other issues that might be relevant.

“I have assured the Home Secretary that there is nothing that could affect my ability to deal independently and impartially with the matters the inquiry panel will investigate. If I had any doubt about this, I would not have accepted this appointment.

“I look forward to beginning this vital work.”

The panel is due to submit an interim report to the Home Secretary by the end of next March.

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