Next Inquiry Chair Has to Be Completely Impartial

The Express
July 14, 2014

http://www.express.co.uk/comment/expresscomment/488838/Daily-Express-on-Baroness-Butler-Sloss-nurses-and-Blackpool-Pleasure-Beach

Baroness Butler-Sloss quit the paedophile inquiry amid row on her brother's role in 1980s Cabinet [PA]

Her late brother Sir Michael Havers served as Attorney General in the 1980s when some of the alleged crimes took place and the inquiry is expected to look at how he handled claims of abuse.

This is a strong conflict of interest and despite the many undoubted qualities she possesses Lady Butler-Sloss’s ability to remain impartial has to be questioned.

A major aim of the inquiry is to find whether senior establishment figures were involved in a large-scale cover-up of paedophilia.

Having it led by somebody with close family ties to one of those establishment figures would have undermined the inquiry’s findings.

Those who did suffer or who have claimed that they suffered at the hands of paedophiles need to have the chance to deliver their evidence to an inquiry that is completely and utterly impartial.

This is the only way they and the general public will be able to have any faith in the proceedings and their outcome.

Theresa May may have served as an exemplary Home Secretary thus far during this Parliament but selecting Lady Butler-Sloss was a mistake.

She should be grateful for yesterday’s resignation.

More nurses are needed

Health regulator the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) has said that patients worried they are receiving substandard care can demand more nurses on their ward.

An inquiry into staffing numbers can also be triggered by complaints from a patient’s family or members of hospital staff. All too often people in British hospitals have to go without the care and attention they need.

The vast majority of nurses are exceptional professionals dedicated to their immensely difficult job and it is hoped these safeguards will ensure that there are always enough of them so they can deliver high-quality care.

If this measure helps get more nurses on duty then it will have done its job and we will all be grateful for it.

But it is doubtful whether it really has the clout to make a serious difference.

Blackpool illuminated

The Blackpool Pleasure Beach has been voted the best amusement park in Britain and one of the very best in Europe by global travellers.

If they think the Pleasure Beach is good they should take a short trip to see the nearby Blackpool Tower.

There may be a similar one in Paris but Blackpool’s is much better.