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Victims' group withdraws from historic child sex abuse inquiry Victims' group withdraws from historical child sex abuse inquiry
(about 1 hour later)
A survivors' group of 600 abuse victims has withdrawn from the independent inquiry into historic child sex abuse, labelling it an "unpalatable circus". A group of 600 abuse survivors has withdrawn from the independent inquiry into historical child sex abuse, calling it an "unpalatable circus".
The BBC has been told the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association, which represents victims who lived in children's homes run by Lambeth Council, has lost confidence in the inquiry's leadership.The BBC has been told the Shirley Oaks Survivors Association, which represents victims who lived in children's homes run by Lambeth Council, has lost confidence in the inquiry's leadership.
It had threatened to withdraw before - questioning the inquiry's independence.It had threatened to withdraw before - questioning the inquiry's independence.
PM Theresa May this week said she had absolute confidence in its leadership.PM Theresa May this week said she had absolute confidence in its leadership.
The treatment of children in care in Lambeth, south London, during the second half of the 20th Century is one of 13 areas the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse is due to look at.The treatment of children in care in Lambeth, south London, during the second half of the 20th Century is one of 13 areas the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse is due to look at.
The claim a large paedophile network infiltrated children's homes in the area is one of the first the inquiry will investigate, with the Shirley Oaks group due to have been a "core participant" in the process.The claim a large paedophile network infiltrated children's homes in the area is one of the first the inquiry will investigate, with the Shirley Oaks group due to have been a "core participant" in the process.
Talk shop 'Pandora's box'
However, in a strongly-worded statement the group said the inquiry had stumbled from crisis to crisis, resulting in what it described as a "botch job" in need of a drastic overhaul.However, in a strongly-worded statement the group said the inquiry had stumbled from crisis to crisis, resulting in what it described as a "botch job" in need of a drastic overhaul.
It claimed the inquiry's chair - former social worker Professor Alexis Jay - is planning nothing more than a social work talk shop, which it says will achieve nothing. It claimed the inquiry's fourth chair - former social worker Prof Alexis Jay - was planning nothing more than a social work talk shop, which it said would achieve nothing.
The Shirley Oaks Survivors Association, which has repeatedly threatened to withdraw in the past, is planning to publish the results of its own investigation. "After the turmoil of losing three chairs we do not believe that Prof Alexis Jay is the right person to wrench open the Pandora's box of historical lies and cover-ups related to Shirley Oaks, Lambeth and the historical child abuse experienced by other survivor groups," the statement said.
The group described Prof Jay as "an uninspiring leader who cannot reach out beyond her daisy chain circle of middle management cronies".
It said: "The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse could have provided an opportunity for contemplation and learning across the UK as a whole.
"We are all aware that mistakes were made in the past but without learning, these mistakes will continue to be made in the future.
"The lives and future of many current and future care children could have been improved but instead, this opportunity lost will leave a pigment of shame on the government's hands."
The Shirley Oaks Survivors Association is planning to publish the results of its own investigation.
It says the Home Office, which sponsors the inquiry and provided some of its staff, had a role in covering up abuse in the past.It says the Home Office, which sponsors the inquiry and provided some of its staff, had a role in covering up abuse in the past.
BBC home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds said maintaining the confidence of abuse victims is "vital" for the inquiry, "for which this announcement will be a further blow".BBC home affairs correspondent Tom Symonds said maintaining the confidence of abuse victims is "vital" for the inquiry, "for which this announcement will be a further blow".
Professor Jay, who led the independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, was named as the fourth chair of the inquiry in August. Prof Jay led the independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham.
ResignationsResignations
The inquiry has been beset by difficulties since it was set up in July 2014 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 has been beset by difficulties since it was set up in July 2014 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.
Three chairwomen - former president of the High Court Family Division Baroness Butler-Sloss, her replacement, leading lawyer Dame Fiona Woolf, and Justice Goddard, a New Zealand high court judge - have already stood down.Three chairwomen - former president of the High Court Family Division Baroness Butler-Sloss, her replacement, leading lawyer Dame Fiona Woolf, and Justice Goddard, a New Zealand high court judge - have already stood down.
A number of senior lawyers on the inquiry have also quit - the most recent of which was Aileen McColgan, who resigned on Wednesday amid concerns about the inquiry's leadership.A number of senior lawyers on the inquiry have also quit - the most recent of which was Aileen McColgan, who resigned on Wednesday amid concerns about the inquiry's leadership.
Last month, Ben Emmerson QC, the most senior lawyer on the inquiry, had resigned, while it emerged Elizabeth Prochaska - the inquiry's second most senior lawyer - had stepped down on 15 September.Last month, Ben Emmerson QC, the most senior lawyer on the inquiry, had resigned, while it emerged Elizabeth Prochaska - the inquiry's second most senior lawyer - had stepped down on 15 September.
This week is was announced the inquiry has also delayed hearings into the late Lord Janner.This week is was announced the inquiry has also delayed hearings into the late Lord Janner.
Labour has said the whole abuse inquiry is now facing a "crisis of credibility".Labour has said the whole abuse inquiry is now facing a "crisis of credibility".
However, addressing concerns about the inquiry at this week's Prime Minister's Questions, Theresa May said: "Having seen the work that Professor Alexis Jay has done in the Rotherham inquiry that she undertook I have absolute confidence in her ability to undertake this inquiry." However, addressing concerns about the inquiry at this week's Prime Minister's Questions, Theresa May said: "Having seen the work that Prof Alexis Jay has done in the Rotherham inquiry that she undertook I have absolute confidence in her ability to undertake this inquiry."
She said it was the victims and survivors "that we must always keep at the forefront of our minds".She said it was the victims and survivors "that we must always keep at the forefront of our minds".