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-37693976

The article has changed 7 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 4 Version 5
Dame Lowell Goddard preferred to work alone, MPs told Dame Lowell Goddard preferred to work alone, MPs told
(about 1 hour later)
Dame Lowell Goddard, the former head of an inquiry into child sexual abuse, kept panel members at a distance and would rather have worked alone, MPs have heard. Dame Lowell Goddard, the former head of the inquiry into child sexual abuse, kept panel members at a distance and wanted to work alone, MPs have heard.
Professor Alexis Jay, her successor, told the Commons Home Affairs Committee that despite this, they tried to make arrangements work. In evidence to the Commons Home Affairs Committee, her successor, Prof Alexis Jay, said had she not resigned, things would have been "very difficult".
Dame Lowell Goddard, the inquiry's third chairwoman, resigned in August. It also emerged that concerns were raised to the Home Office about Dame Lowell's leadership in April.
The inquiry, set up in 2014, has been beset by controversies. She resigned three months later, citing the inquiry's "legacy of failure".
The committee quizzed Prof Jay, who was previously on the panel, and two current panel members about Dame Lowell Goddard's departure and the inquiry's progress. The inquiry, set up in 2014, has been beset by controversy. Two other chairwomen, aside from Justice Goddard, have also resigned.
The committee quizzed Prof Jay - who was previously a member of the panel - and two current panel members about Dame Lowell's departure and the inquiry's progress.
Who is Justice Lowell Goddard?Who is Justice Lowell Goddard?
Panel member Ivor Frank, a human rights barrister, was asked whether Dame Lowell Goddard, a New Zealand high court judge, was a "nightmare to work with". Panel member Ivor Frank, a human rights barrister, was asked whether Dame Lowell, a New Zealand high court judge, was a "nightmare to work with".
"I would not use that language. I would prefer to say there were challenges," he replied."I would not use that language. I would prefer to say there were challenges," he replied.
He said she was not always present in the UK throughout her 16-month tenure and the panel was able to continue working without very much contact. He said she was not always present in the UK during her 16-month tenure and the panel was able to continue working without very much contact.
"There were times when things were perfectly amicable and perfectly professional, there were other times when it was less the case," he told the committee."There were times when things were perfectly amicable and perfectly professional, there were other times when it was less the case," he told the committee.
'Never in crisis' Another panel member, Drusilla Sharpling, also a barrister, told the hearing she had reported concerns about Dame Lowell's leadership qualities to a director general at the Home Office at the end of April.
During questioning, Prof Jay denied the inquiry had been "an unhappy ship". She told MPs she had concerns - not a complaint - and did not give anyone permission to "spread these concerns amongst anybody else" and did not ask for any action to be taken.
She said a great deal of work had been done, it had always been "open for business" and it was not true to say it was ever in crisis.
But she acknowledged that had Dame Lowell Goddard not resigned, it would have been "very difficult" for the work of the inquiry to be carried out.
Another panel member, Drusilla Sharpling, also a barrister, told the hearing she had reported concerns about Dame Lowell Goddard's leadership qualities to the Home Office in April - more than three months before her resignation.
She told MPs she did not give anyone permission to "spread these concerns amongst anybody else" and did not ask for any action to be taken.
'Controlling mind''Controlling mind'
Mark Sedwill, permanent secretary of the Home Office, who also faced the committee, said he had not heard "rumblings" about Dame Lowell Goddard's performance. Mark Sedwill, permanent secretary at the Home Office, who also faced the committee, said he had not heard "rumblings" about Dame Lowell's performance.
He has already said that the first time he was made aware of concerns was on 29 July, six days before she resigned.He has already said that the first time he was made aware of concerns was on 29 July, six days before she resigned.
"Had I picked up rumblings because we have former (Home Office) staff working on the inquiry? The answer to that is no," he said. "Had I picked up rumblings because we have former (Home Office) staff working on the inquiry? The answer to that is no," he said.
Prof Jay said that of the 166 employees working on the inquiry, "just over 20%" had previously worked for the Home Office.Prof Jay said that of the 166 employees working on the inquiry, "just over 20%" had previously worked for the Home Office.
The committee suggested this made it harder for abuse survivors to have confidence in the "independence" of the inquiry.The committee suggested this made it harder for abuse survivors to have confidence in the "independence" of the inquiry.
Drusilla Sharpling, from the panel, stressed: "The chair and the panel are the controlling mind of this inquiry." But Ms Sharpling insisted: "The chair and the panel are the controlling mind of this inquiry."
In her resignation letter from August, Dame Lowell Goddard said the inquiry had a "legacy of failure which has been very hard to shake off". 'Never in crisis'
During questioning, Prof Jay denied the inquiry had been "an unhappy ship".
She said a great deal of work had been done, it had always been "open for business" and it was not true to say it was ever in crisis.
But she acknowledged that had Dame Lowell not stepped down, it would have been "very difficult" for the work of the inquiry to be carried out.
In her resignation letter from August, Dame Lowell said the inquiry had a "legacy of failure which has been very hard to shake off".
She has since been accused of using racist language, something she has strongly denied.She has since been accused of using racist language, something she has strongly denied.
Asked by the committee about these reports, Prof Jay said she could not talk about any aspect of HR or personnel experience in the inquiry, saying it was confidential. Asked by the committee about these reports, Prof Jay said she could not talk about any aspect of human resources or personnel experience in the inquiry, saying it was confidential.
Dame Lowell Goddard's predecessors, Baroness Butler-Sloss and Dame Fiona Woolf, both quit over alleged conflicts of interest. Dame Lowell's predecessors, Baroness Butler-Sloss and Dame Fiona Woolf, both quit over alleged conflicts of interest.
Senior lawyer Ben Emmerson QC also stepped down. Senior lawyer Ben Emmerson QC also stepped down last month.
Abuse inquiry: How we got hereAbuse inquiry: How we got here
7 July 2014 - government announces independent inquiry into the way public bodies investigated and handled child sex abuse claims. Baroness Butler-Sloss chosen as head7 July 2014 - government announces independent inquiry into the way public bodies investigated and handled child sex abuse claims. Baroness Butler-Sloss chosen as head
9 July - Baroness Butler-Sloss faces calls to quit because her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, was attorney general in the 1980s9 July - Baroness Butler-Sloss faces calls to quit because her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, was attorney general in the 1980s
14 July - she stands down, saying she is "not the right person" for the job14 July - she stands down, saying she is "not the right person" for the job
5 September - Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf named the new head of the inquiry5 September - Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf named the new head of the inquiry
11 October - Mrs Woolf discloses she had five dinners with Lord Brittan from 2008-1211 October - Mrs Woolf discloses she had five dinners with Lord Brittan from 2008-12
22 October - abuse victim launches legal challenge against Mrs Woolf leading the inquiry, amid growing calls for her resignation22 October - abuse victim launches legal challenge against Mrs Woolf leading the inquiry, amid growing calls for her resignation
31 October - victims' groups tell government officials they are "unanimous" Mrs Woolf should quit. She steps down later that day31 October - victims' groups tell government officials they are "unanimous" Mrs Woolf should quit. She steps down later that day
4 February 2015 - Justice Lowell Goddard, a serving judge of the High Court of New Zealand, announced as the new head of the inquiry4 February 2015 - Justice Lowell Goddard, a serving judge of the High Court of New Zealand, announced as the new head of the inquiry
13 July - Dame Lowell's pay is revealed as more than £480,000 a year13 July - Dame Lowell's pay is revealed as more than £480,000 a year
November - inquiry begins hearing directly from victims and survivorsNovember - inquiry begins hearing directly from victims and survivors
4 August 2016 - Dame Lowell writes to Home Secretary Amber Rudd to resign from her post4 August 2016 - Dame Lowell writes to Home Secretary Amber Rudd to resign from her post
11 August 2016 - Prof Alexis Jay announced as new head of the inquiry11 August 2016 - Prof Alexis Jay announced as new head of the inquiry
30 September - Ben Emmerson QC, the most senior lawyer working for the inquiry, steps down30 September - Ben Emmerson QC, the most senior lawyer working for the inquiry, steps down