Goddard Inquiry to resume Janner probe after criminal case closed

A number of care homes and public bodies will come under the spotlight of the Goddard Inquiry as it resumes its probe into the late Lord Janner affair.

Following the announcement that the criminal case against the former Labour MP for Leicester has been closed, the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse issued a statement saying it would resume its investigation.

Leicestershire County Council, a number of care homes, the police, the Crown Prosecution Service and the Labour Party will all be looked into by the independent inquiry, it said.

The inquiry, headed by Justice Goddard, was set up to examine institutional responsibility for failing to protect children from sexual abuse.

It cannot reach findings of criminal liability against individuals and does not carry the same standard of proof.

A spokeswoman said it would focus on “different issues” from a criminal trial, with the first step to examine the facts surrounding the allegations against Janner.

She said: “The inquiry will seek evidence and submissions from all relevant parties, and will make findings of fact where appropriate.

“If allegations are found to be true, the inquiry will then consider the extent of any institutional failures to protect children from abuse and make recommendations for the future.”

The first preliminary hearing will take place on March 9, with “core participants” invited to apply later this month.

Meanwhile, the CPS, which has come under fire for failing to prosecute earlier, said it would publish the results of its own investigation into its handling of past allegations of sex abuse.

A CPS spokesman said: “In April 2015, the Director of Public Prosecutions commissioned an independent inquiry into the handling of past allegations of sexual abuse by Greville Janner.

“Now that criminal proceedings have concluded, we will publish the findings of Sir Richard Henriques’ inquiry at the earliest opportunity.”

Copyright (c) Press Association Ltd. 2016, All Rights Reserved. Picture – The Goddard Inquiry team:  Hon. Lowell Goddard, Professor Sir Malcolm Evans, Ivor Frank, Professor Alexis Jay and Drusilla Sharpling.