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Former child abuse inquiry counsel cleared of wrongdoing Former child abuse inquiry counsel cleared of wrongdoing
(35 minutes later)
The former senior counsel on the national child abuse inquiry has been cleared of any wrongdoing in an independent investigation by his chambers.The former senior counsel on the national child abuse inquiry has been cleared of any wrongdoing in an independent investigation by his chambers.
Ben Emmerson, QC, who quit the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA) in September, was accused in a BBC Newsnight programme, of sexually assaulting a colleague from the inquiry in a lift. Ben Emmerson, QC, who quit the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse (IICSA) in September, was named in a BBC Newsnight programme after an inquiry worker revealed details of an alleged sexual assault in a lift.
The abuse inquiry, under the chairmanship of Prof Alexis Jay, has repeatedly refused to release any further information about Emmerson’s departure.The abuse inquiry, under the chairmanship of Prof Alexis Jay, has repeatedly refused to release any further information about Emmerson’s departure.
But his law chambers, Matrix, set up an independent inquiry into the allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment. It was led – Matrix said on Wednesday – by former director of public prosecutions Sir David Calvert-Smith. His law chambers, Matrix, set up an independent inquiry into the allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment. It was led by the former director of public prosecutions Sir David Calvert-Smith.
Matrix said: “After examining the evidence, Calvert-Smith submitted his final report to the management committee earlier this week. In his report Calvert-Smith concluded “without hesitation” that Emmerson had not committed any act of sexual assault or sexual harassment.” Matrix said on Wednesday: “After examining the evidence, Sir David submitted his final report to the management committee earlier this week. In his report, Sir David concluded ‘without hesitation’ that Mr Emmerson had not committed any act of sexual assault or sexual harassment.”
Welcoming the inquiry’s findings, Emmerson said: “This has been a difficult period and I am naturally very pleased that an independent senior judge has now confirmed that the allegations against me were always unfounded.Welcoming the inquiry’s findings, Emmerson said: “This has been a difficult period and I am naturally very pleased that an independent senior judge has now confirmed that the allegations against me were always unfounded.
“I hope that the inquiry can now be left to get on with its important work, free from unnecessary distractions.”“I hope that the inquiry can now be left to get on with its important work, free from unnecessary distractions.”
Emmerson resigned after being suspended by the inquiry over concerns, they said, “about aspects of Mr Emmerson’s leadership of the counsel team”.Emmerson resigned after being suspended by the inquiry over concerns, they said, “about aspects of Mr Emmerson’s leadership of the counsel team”.
Two weeks earlier another lawyer on the inquiry, who is also from Emmerson’s chambers, junior counsel Elizabeth Prochaska, had also quit the inquiry team.Two weeks earlier another lawyer on the inquiry, who is also from Emmerson’s chambers, junior counsel Elizabeth Prochaska, had also quit the inquiry team.
The departure of such senior members of the inquiry team threw the already troubled investigation into a crisis from which it is still struggling to emerge.The departure of such senior members of the inquiry team threw the already troubled investigation into a crisis from which it is still struggling to emerge.
The prime minister, Theresa May, was forced to step in to express her confidence in the inquiry, which is costing £100m over five years.The prime minister, Theresa May, was forced to step in to express her confidence in the inquiry, which is costing £100m over five years.
A review of the inquiry’s work, which has been carried out by Jay, is due to be published in the near future.A review of the inquiry’s work, which has been carried out by Jay, is due to be published in the near future.
The allegation of sexual harassment, originally broadcast by BBC Newsnight, was not put to Emmerson before he resigned from the inquiry. The allegation of sexual harassment was not put to Emmerson before he resigned from the inquiry. Panel members on the inquiry were made aware of the allegations.
The highly experienced QC had already made his decision to leave the child abuse inquiry before he was told about the allegation. IICSA has, in the meantime, formally launched separate, independent examination of the way on which Emerson’s resignation was handled. It may now ask why Emmerson was not asked about the now discredited allegation at the time so that he could respond to the claim. The highly experienced QC had already made his decision to leave the child abuse inquiry before he was told about the allegation.
In the meantime IICSA has formally launched a separate, independent examination of the way Emerson’s resignation was handled. It may now ask why Emmerson was not asked about the now discredited allegation at the time so that he could respond.
Emmerson is now back working on international cases, his previous area of legal specialisation.Emmerson is now back working on international cases, his previous area of legal specialisation.