Home Secretary unveils abuse probe panellists

By The Press Association12th March 2015News EnglandChild Abuse, Government / Politics, Inquiry, News England, Sexual Abuse

A new four person panel, including Professor Alexis Jay (pictured), has been revealed by Home Secretary Theresa May for the reformed statutory inquiry into child sex abuse.

Mrs May said Drusilla Sharpling, Ivor Frank and Malcolm Evans will also serve alongside Justice Lowell Goddard, a New Zealand judge.

New terms of reference for the inquiry have also been agreed, included a removal of any cut off date for claims which can be investigated by the probe.

In a written statement to MPs, Mrs May said: “Survivors have been instrumental in the setting up of this statutory inquiry. Both Justice Goddard and I are clear that they must also have a strong voice in the work of the inquiry as it now moves forward.

“Justice Goddard will be writing to survivors and their representatives shortly to set out her intention to create a survivors and victims’ consultative panel and to seek their views on how this will work and who should be on it.

“This panel will have a specific role and function within the inquiry.”

Mrs May reiterated the full support of the Government for the work of the inquiry and “access to all relevant information”.

Mrs May dissolved the original panel after two chairs were forced to stand down over their links to Establishment figures from the 1970s and 80s, appointing a new chair and re-examining the terms of reference.