UNITED KINGDOM
The Guardian
Sandra Laville
Thursday 12 March 2015
Four new panel members, including the author of a report into sexual exploitation in Rotherham, have been appointed to the reformed independent inquiry into child abuse, the home secretary has announced.
After months of controversy about the make-up and power of the inquiry Theresa May confirmed on Thursday it was to be placed on a statutory footing “to compel witnesses to determine whether state and non-state institutions have taken seriously their duty of care to children”.
The home secretary revealed she has listened to demands from the survivors that the period of time covered by the inquiry be extended. May said there would be no cutoff point for investigations and added that the no individual or institution should be able to fall through the gaps because of “geographical boundaries”.
She said information would be shared between the inquiry in England and Wales, a forthcoming inquiry being set up in Scotland, the Hart Inquiry in Northern Ireland and the Jersey independent care inquiry; all of which will have joint protocols.
May said the inquiry would have the full cooperation of the government and access to all relevant information.
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