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Victims call for child sex abuse inquiry to continue Abuse inquiry chair asked to explain resignation to MPs
(about 1 hour later)
MPs and campaigners have called for the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse to continue despite the resignation of Dame Lowell Goddard. The chair of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse has been asked to appear before MPs to explain why she has resigned.
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson called for an explanation over why the chairwoman had stepped down. A "full and thorough explanation" from Dame Lowell Goddard was the "only way" to move forward, said Commons Home Affairs Committee chairman Keith Vaz.
Mr Vaz said it was "not enough" for Justice Goddard to "resign and leave".
Justice Goddard has not yet given full reasons, but said conducting such an inquiry was "not an easy task".
Labour deputy leader Tom Watson also called for an explanation over why the chairwoman had stepped down.
Campaign groups said a replacement was needed "urgently" after Justice Goddard became the third inquiry head to quit.Campaign groups said a replacement was needed "urgently" after Justice Goddard became the third inquiry head to quit.
Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the inquiry would continue "without delay" and in the absence of a new chair.Home Secretary Amber Rudd said the inquiry would continue "without delay" and in the absence of a new chair.
The inquiry was announced in July 2014 to examine claims of abuse made against public and private institutions.The inquiry was announced in July 2014 to examine claims of abuse made against public and private institutions.
Justice Goddard has not given full reasons for leaving but said conducting such a widespread inquiry was "not an easy task" and "compounding the many difficulties was its legacy of failure which has been very hard to shake off". BBC home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds said several sources had told him there had been "tension" within the inquiry, with one suggesting the New Zealand judge felt she was not getting the support and "loyalty" her job required.
She added that accepting the job had been "an incredibly difficult step to take, as it meant relinquishing my career in New Zealand and leaving behind my beloved family".
Lucy Duckworth, who sits on the victims and survivors' panel of the inquiry, said Justice Goddard had done an "incredible job" but the work must continue.Lucy Duckworth, who sits on the victims and survivors' panel of the inquiry, said Justice Goddard had done an "incredible job" but the work must continue.
She told the BBC: "It's not called the Goddard inquiry, it's the independent inquiry; there are many staff there working extremely hard to lay down the infrastructure...She told the BBC: "It's not called the Goddard inquiry, it's the independent inquiry; there are many staff there working extremely hard to lay down the infrastructure...
"We need to make sure survivors that are encouraged to come and share their story with the inquiry are well supported and that is what is taking the time.""We need to make sure survivors that are encouraged to come and share their story with the inquiry are well supported and that is what is taking the time."
Mr Watson agreed, saying: "We must not let our failure to find a judge with the relevant knowledge and the necessary staying power deter us from progressing with this complex and demanding task.Mr Watson agreed, saying: "We must not let our failure to find a judge with the relevant knowledge and the necessary staying power deter us from progressing with this complex and demanding task.
"I hope the new home secretary will not attempt to take control of the investigation. The independence of this inquiry must not be compromised by ministers or officials.""I hope the new home secretary will not attempt to take control of the investigation. The independence of this inquiry must not be compromised by ministers or officials."
Phil Frampton, from the White Flowers campaign which represents several survivors' groups, said he felt Justice Goddard "was out of her depth, from a country where the child protection practices are 20 years behind this country".Phil Frampton, from the White Flowers campaign which represents several survivors' groups, said he felt Justice Goddard "was out of her depth, from a country where the child protection practices are 20 years behind this country".
Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, said Justice Goddard's decision to quit was "astonishing".Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee, said Justice Goddard's decision to quit was "astonishing".
"Serious questions need to be asked about why the Home Office has not monitored events more carefully.""Serious questions need to be asked about why the Home Office has not monitored events more carefully."
'Vital role''Vital role'
BBC home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds described the resignation as a "crisis" for the inquiry. The Times reported that Justice Goddard had spent more than 70 days working abroad or on holiday during her time in charge.
It came on the same day the Times reported that Justice Goddard had spent more than 70 days working abroad or on holiday during her time in charge.
An inquiry spokesman said the 67-year-old, who was appointed in April 2015, had spent 44 days in New Zealand and Australia on inquiry business and was entitled to 30 days' annual leave.An inquiry spokesman said the 67-year-old, who was appointed in April 2015, had spent 44 days in New Zealand and Australia on inquiry business and was entitled to 30 days' annual leave.
In a statement, Justice Goddard said she was "confident there have been achievements and some very real gains for victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse in getting their voices heard".In a statement, Justice Goddard said she was "confident there have been achievements and some very real gains for victims and survivors of institutional child sexual abuse in getting their voices heard".
She said she took on the role because of her "relevant experience and track record in the area" but admitted it had been a difficult job.She said she took on the role because of her "relevant experience and track record in the area" but admitted it had been a difficult job.
"Compounding the many difficulties was its legacy of failure which has been very hard to shake off and with hindsight it would have been better to have started completely afresh," she said."Compounding the many difficulties was its legacy of failure which has been very hard to shake off and with hindsight it would have been better to have started completely afresh," she said.
She added that accepting the job had been "an incredibly difficult step to take, as it meant relinquishing my career in New Zealand and leaving behind my beloved family".
Ms Rudd thanked Justice Goddard for "her vital role" in setting up the inquiry adding: "I want to assure everyone with an interest in the inquiry, particularly victims and survivors, that the work of the inquiry will continue without delay."Ms Rudd thanked Justice Goddard for "her vital role" in setting up the inquiry adding: "I want to assure everyone with an interest in the inquiry, particularly victims and survivors, that the work of the inquiry will continue without delay."
The inquiry was set up to investigate allegations made against local authorities, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions in England and Wales, as well as people in the public eye.The inquiry was set up to investigate allegations made against local authorities, religious organisations, the armed forces and public and private institutions in England and Wales, as well as people in the public eye.
It had a budget of £17.9m in its first year, funded by the Home Office, with staffing-related costs accounting for 41% of the total.It had a budget of £17.9m in its first year, funded by the Home Office, with staffing-related costs accounting for 41% of the total.
In July last year it was revealed Justice Goddard was receiving a salary of £360,000, an annual rental allowance of £110,000 and £12,000 a year to cover utilities, while panel members were each receiving £565 a day.In July last year it was revealed Justice Goddard was receiving a salary of £360,000, an annual rental allowance of £110,000 and £12,000 a year to cover utilities, while panel members were each receiving £565 a day.
The original chairwoman, Baroness Butler-Sloss, stood down just a week after being appointed amid questions over the role played by her late brother, Lord Havers, who was attorney general in the 1980s.The original chairwoman, Baroness Butler-Sloss, stood down just a week after being appointed amid questions over the role played by her late brother, Lord Havers, who was attorney general in the 1980s.
Her replacement Dame Fiona Woolf resigned following questions over her links to establishment figures.Her replacement Dame Fiona Woolf resigned following questions over her links to establishment figures.
Abuse inquiry: How we got hereAbuse inquiry: How we got here