Child Abuse Inquiry Controversy At-a-glance

Sky News
October 31, 2014

http://news.sky.com/story/1364085/child-abuse-inquiry-controversy-at-a-glance

Key figures: Fiona Woolf, Theresa May, Leon Brittan and Lady Butler-Sloss

The resignation of the head of the inquiry into historical child sex abuse allegations is the latest in a string of controversies that have dogged the investigation before it has even started.

Here is an at-a-glance background to the most recent development in the saga:

:: City lawyer Fiona Woolf was appointed in September to chair the panel inquiring into UK institutions' handling of historical child sex abuse allegations.

:: The original nominee, Lady Butler-Sloss, stepped down because her late brother, Lord Havers, was attorney general during much of the period in question.

:: Then came the criticism of Mrs Woolf's appointment because of her social links with former home secretary Lord Brittan and his wife.

Her connection with Lord Brittan was under the spotlight because he is likely to be called to give evidence to the inquiry about his handling of child abuse allegations.

:: He denies failing to act on a dossier of paedophilia allegations he received while in office in the 1980s.

:: Mrs Woolf has lived in the same street as the Brittans for the last decade, and not only has she invited the couple to dinner at her house three times, she has also dined at their home twice, met Lady Brittan for coffee, sat on a prize-giving panel with her, and sponsored her ?50 for a fun run.

:: With doubts about whether Mrs Woolf could have the confidence of victims, a photograph surfaced showing her chatting to Lady Brittan at a prize-giving event last October - after she told Home Secretary Theresa May that she had had "no social contact with Lord and Lady Brittan since April 23 2013".

:: Mrs Woolf faced intensified calls to quit after documents were published showing a letter setting out Mrs Woolf's contacts with Lord Brittan and his wife was redrafted seven times, with guidance from Home Office officials, before being sent to Mrs May.

:: Chairman of the Home Affairs Select Committee Keith Vaz said Mrs Woolf's appointment had been "chaotic" and that she should decide whether she wishes to remain as chair of the inquiry.

A solicitor for victims told Sky News they had no confidence in Mrs Woolf, and called for the inquiry "to start again".

:: The Home Office had given its backing to Mrs Woolf and her panel, expressing confidence they could carry out their duties "to the highest standards of impartiality and integrity."

:: She has now quit after mounting pressure over her role. As she stepped down, Mrs Woolf said it was concerns expressed by victims that had "turned the tide" and prompted her to give up the post.