Brian Altman named new lead counsel to child sexual abuse inquiry

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse has named Brian Altman QC, a leading barrister, as its most senior lawyer.

He will take over the role of lead counsel to the probe following the resignation last year of Ben Emmerson QC.

Announcing the appointment, inquiry chairwoman Professor Alexis Jay described Mr Altman as “hugely experienced”.

The probe has been beset by problems and Mr Emmerson’s resignation, which was announced in September, was one of a number of departures of senior figures.

Prof Jay said: “I am pleased to announce that I have appointed Brian Altman QC as lead counsel to the inquiry.

“He is hugely experienced, having spent 16 years as Treasury Counsel, the last two and a half years of which were as First Senior Treasury Counsel.

“This is an important appointment for the inquiry and I look forward to working with Brian as we take forward the work of the inquiry.”

After his appointment was confirmed, Mr Altman said he looked forward to taking up his post.

He said: “The Government and the public have set the inquiry a huge challenge to investigate institutional responses to child sexual abuse in the past, and to report and make recommendations in order to prevent such abuse happening in the future.

“I am delighted to have been appointed to lead a team of lawyers dedicated to completing the task of the inquiry.

“I will work to ensure that the investigations and the public hearings are kept on track in order to deliver the terms of reference of the inquiry.”

Mr Altman was called to the bar in 1981 and took silk in 2008.

His principal area of practice is serious crime, such as terrorism and homicide, but his main specialisms are fraud and bribery, as well as corporate governance, compliance and regulatory work, according to a profile on the website of his chambers 2 Bedford Row.

Mr Altman, who has been named as one of the country’s 100 most influential lawyers, has prosecuted a number of high-profile cases including the trial of Levi Bellfield for abducting and killing schoolgirl Milly Dowler.

The inquiry has been plagued by controversy since it was originally launched by then home secretary Theresa May in 2014.

Last month it emerged all of the investigative strands will be retained after an internal review concluded the probe should not be scaled back.

Prof Jay has said she plans to make recommendations in an interim report in 2018 and spoke of her determination to make “substantial progress” by 2020.

However, no final completion date has been given for what is the largest public inquiry ever established in the UK.

There have been suggestions it could last for up to a decade, costing tens of millions of pounds.

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