This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-37514864
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Ben Emmerson QC resigns as child abuse inquiry lawyer | Ben Emmerson QC resigns as child abuse inquiry lawyer |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| Ben Emmerson QC, the most senior lawyer working for the independent inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in England and Wales, has resigned. | Ben Emmerson QC, the most senior lawyer working for the independent inquiry into historical child sexual abuse in England and Wales, has resigned. |
| Inquiry chairwoman Prof Alexis Jay denied it was down to a difference of opinion with her, saying Mr Emmerson believed it was time for "someone else to take the role forward". | Inquiry chairwoman Prof Alexis Jay denied it was down to a difference of opinion with her, saying Mr Emmerson believed it was time for "someone else to take the role forward". |
| Mr Emmerson was suspended on Wednesday due to "concerns about his leadership". | Mr Emmerson was suspended on Wednesday due to "concerns about his leadership". |
| Prime Minister Theresa May has said she still has confidence in the inquiry. | Prime Minister Theresa May has said she still has confidence in the inquiry. |
| Mr Emmerson's resignation comes just hours after it was revealed his colleague Elizabeth Prochaska - the inquiry's second most senior lawyer - stepped down on 15 September. | Mr Emmerson's resignation comes just hours after it was revealed his colleague Elizabeth Prochaska - the inquiry's second most senior lawyer - stepped down on 15 September. |
| Doubts over role | Doubts over role |
| In his resignation letter to Prof Jay, Mr Emmerson said he was "sad" to leave the inquiry after two years. | In his resignation letter to Prof Jay, Mr Emmerson said he was "sad" to leave the inquiry after two years. |
| However, Mr Emmerson said he had doubts about whether he was the right person for the inquiry when he was reappointed to the role by Prof Jay in September last year. | However, Mr Emmerson said he had doubts about whether he was the right person for the inquiry when he was reappointed to the role by Prof Jay in September last year. |
| He wrote: "Since then, it has become clear to me that I am not the person to take this review forward on your behalf. | He wrote: "Since then, it has become clear to me that I am not the person to take this review forward on your behalf. |
| "It is now time for someone else to take the helm with a different leadership of the counsel team. | "It is now time for someone else to take the helm with a different leadership of the counsel team. |
| "There is no truth in suggestions that I have resigned due to a difference of opinion with you about the next steps for the inquiry." | "There is no truth in suggestions that I have resigned due to a difference of opinion with you about the next steps for the inquiry." |
| Prof Jay said Mr Emmerson would "continue to be available to the inquiry whilst his replacement is recruited and brought up to speed." | Prof Jay said Mr Emmerson would "continue to be available to the inquiry whilst his replacement is recruited and brought up to speed." |
| Ms Prochaska's resignation as first junior counsel is said to be unrelated to other events. | Ms Prochaska's resignation as first junior counsel is said to be unrelated to other events. |
| The two resignations have hit an inquiry, originally set up in 2014, that has already been beset by problems | The two resignations have hit an inquiry, originally set up in 2014, that has already been beset by problems |
| Prof Jay is the fourth person to have been appointed to lead the inquiry, following three earlier resignations. | Prof Jay is the fourth person to have been appointed to lead the inquiry, following three earlier resignations. |
| However, Mrs May said the "really important" hearings - which began at the Royal Courts of Justice in London in March - would go ahead as planned. | |
| Speaking during a visit to Wiltshire, she said: "I set the inquiry up when I was home secretary and the current home secretary has made clear the original terms of reference were the right ones and I think that's important. | Speaking during a visit to Wiltshire, she said: "I set the inquiry up when I was home secretary and the current home secretary has made clear the original terms of reference were the right ones and I think that's important. |
| "We should always remember why it is that the inquiry was set up in the first place and when those terms of reference were set they were agreed with victims and survivors and it is victims and survivors who are at the heart of this inquiry." | "We should always remember why it is that the inquiry was set up in the first place and when those terms of reference were set they were agreed with victims and survivors and it is victims and survivors who are at the heart of this inquiry." |
| 'United in determination' | 'United in determination' |
| In a statement, the inquiry thanked Ms Prochaska for her "commitment" and "the valuable contribution that she made to its work". | In a statement, the inquiry thanked Ms Prochaska for her "commitment" and "the valuable contribution that she made to its work". |
| It also described the recent events as "unsettling, particularly for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and all those who are engaged with the inquiry's work". | It also described the recent events as "unsettling, particularly for victims and survivors of child sexual abuse and all those who are engaged with the inquiry's work". |
| The statement added: "It has been said that the inquiry is in crisis. | The statement added: "It has been said that the inquiry is in crisis. |
| "This is simply not the case, and the chair and panel are united in their determination to see this important work through to a conclusion." | "This is simply not the case, and the chair and panel are united in their determination to see this important work through to a conclusion." |
| The inquiry was set up to examine whether public bodies including the police have failed in their duty to protect children from sexual abuse. | The inquiry was set up to examine whether public bodies including the police have failed in their duty to protect children from sexual abuse. |
| It will also examine claims of abuse involving "well-known people". | It will also examine claims of abuse involving "well-known people". |