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Child sex abuse inquiry: Labour calls on government to intervene Child sex abuse inquiry: Labour calls on government to intervene
(about 2 hours later)
The government needs to intervene in the inquiry into child sexual abuse in England and Wales, after another of its lawyers resigned, Labour says.The government needs to intervene in the inquiry into child sexual abuse in England and Wales, after another of its lawyers resigned, Labour says.
Aileen McColgan, who was leading investigations into the Anglican and Catholic Churches, quit amid concerns about the inquiry's leadership. Aileen McColgan quit amid concerns about the inquiry's leadership.
Two of the inquiry's most senior lawyers resigned in September. Labour said the inquiry was facing a "crisis of credibility" but the PM said she had "full confidence" in it.
Labour's Diane Abbott said it was facing a "crisis of credibility" which ministers must address. Meanwhile, the IPCC has confirmed it is investigating officers involved in the Met Police's investigation into paedophile allegations against VIPs.
'Clearly not working'
The investigation was set up to examine whether public bodies, including the police, had failed in their duty to protect children from sexual abuse and to examine allegations of abuse involving "well-known people".The investigation was set up to examine whether public bodies, including the police, had failed in their duty to protect children from sexual abuse and to examine allegations of abuse involving "well-known people".
The inquiry has suffered a series of setbacks, including resignations of three chairwomen and senior lawyers.
It is now on its fourth chairwoman after Professor Alexis Jay, who led the Rotherham child abuse inquiry, replaced New Zealand judge Dame Lowell Goddard in August.It is now on its fourth chairwoman after Professor Alexis Jay, who led the Rotherham child abuse inquiry, replaced New Zealand judge Dame Lowell Goddard in August.
Ms Abbott said Prime Minister Theresa May and Home Secretary Amber Rudd needed to explain to MPs what was going wrong.Ms Abbott said Prime Minister Theresa May and Home Secretary Amber Rudd needed to explain to MPs what was going wrong.
"The inquiry was established by Theresa May and it clearly isn't working," she said."The inquiry was established by Theresa May and it clearly isn't working," she said.
"The victims of child sex abuse have put their faith in this inquiry. The very least they deserve is some openness from government and an explanation for what is going on.""The victims of child sex abuse have put their faith in this inquiry. The very least they deserve is some openness from government and an explanation for what is going on."
Earlier Labour's Yvette Cooper said the home affairs select committee, which she chairs, had contacted the lawyers who had left the inquiry and Lowell Goddard to learn what had gone wrong with the investigation.Earlier Labour's Yvette Cooper said the home affairs select committee, which she chairs, had contacted the lawyers who had left the inquiry and Lowell Goddard to learn what had gone wrong with the investigation.
"What's unclear is how much this has been about legacy problems - and clearly some personality issues - and whether there have also been structural issues over the last two years, or whether there are ongoing problems for the future," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme."What's unclear is how much this has been about legacy problems - and clearly some personality issues - and whether there have also been structural issues over the last two years, or whether there are ongoing problems for the future," she told BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
The inquiry has suffered a series of setbacks.
In September its most senior lawyer, Ben Emmerson, resigned 24 hours after he was suspended because of concerns over his leadership. He is yet to be replaced.In September its most senior lawyer, Ben Emmerson, resigned 24 hours after he was suspended because of concerns over his leadership. He is yet to be replaced.
In August the inquiry's third chair Lowell Goddard resigned. She has instructed lawyers to fight newspaper claims that she had made racist remarks.In August the inquiry's third chair Lowell Goddard resigned. She has instructed lawyers to fight newspaper claims that she had made racist remarks.
Professor Jay has faced criticism from survivors' groups because of her background in social work - a profession they say has failed them.Professor Jay has faced criticism from survivors' groups because of her background in social work - a profession they say has failed them.
Speaking during Prime Minister's Questions, Labour MP Lisa Nandy said Mrs May should "get a grip" on the inquiry and asked her whether she had full confidence in the investigation. Speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, Mrs May responded by saying that it was important the inquiry continued and that she had "full confidence" in Prof Jay and her ability to lead it.
Mrs May responded by saying that it was important the inquiry continued and that she had "full confidence" in Prof Jay and her ability to lead it.
Lawyers who have quit the inquiry:Lawyers who have quit the inquiry:
Hugh Davies QC - deputy counsel to the inquiry (December 2015)Hugh Davies QC - deputy counsel to the inquiry (December 2015)
Toby Fisher - joint first junior counsel to the inquiry (August 2015)Toby Fisher - joint first junior counsel to the inquiry (August 2015)
Elizabeth Prochaska - joint first junior counsel to the inquiry (September 2016)Elizabeth Prochaska - joint first junior counsel to the inquiry (September 2016)
Ben Emmerson QC - lead counsel on the inquiry (September 2016)Ben Emmerson QC - lead counsel on the inquiry (September 2016)
Aileen McColgan - lead barrister on inquiry investigations into the Anglican and Catholic churches (November 2016)Aileen McColgan - lead barrister on inquiry investigations into the Anglican and Catholic churches (November 2016)
IPCC investigation
Meanwhile, the Independent Police Complaints Commission is investigating the conduct of five officers linked to the Met's Operation Midland investigation, which closed in March without a single arrest or charge.
One of those officers will also be investigated over his involvement in Operation Vicente - which looked into allegations made about the late Sir Leon Brittan.
It comes after Sir Richard Henriques' independent review of Operation Midland, released last week, found "numerous errors".
The five officers being investigated range from a deputy assistant commissioner to a detective sergeant.
IPCC deputy chair Rachel Cerfontyne said the IPCC would conduct its own investigation into the conduct of these officers and reach its own findings, separate from those of Sir Richard.
Operation Midland was launched after claims that boys had been sexually abused by a group of powerful men from politics, the military and law enforcement agencies at locations across southern England and in London in the 1970s and 1980s.