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Scope of independent inquiry into child sexual abuse 'a virtue' Independent inquiry into child sexual abuse 'will not be scaled back'
(35 minutes later)
The chair of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse has rejected calls for it to be scrapped or scaled back, saying its scope is "a virtue".The chair of the independent inquiry into child sexual abuse has rejected calls for it to be scrapped or scaled back, saying its scope is "a virtue".
Prof Alexis Jay said the broad nature of the inquiry would allow it to recommend "fundamental changes".Prof Alexis Jay said the broad nature of the inquiry would allow it to recommend "fundamental changes".
She said none of its 13 investigations into allegations of child abuse would be dropped, following a review of the inquiry's work.She said none of its 13 investigations into allegations of child abuse would be dropped, following a review of the inquiry's work.
The inquiry has announced it will only hold four public hearings next year.The inquiry has announced it will only hold four public hearings next year.
A report following the internal review - which was ordered by Prof Jay after her appointment in August - set a firm timetable for 2017.A report following the internal review - which was ordered by Prof Jay after her appointment in August - set a firm timetable for 2017.
Janner investigation
She said she planned to make recommendations in an interim report in 2018 and vowed to make "substantial progress" by 2020.She said she planned to make recommendations in an interim report in 2018 and vowed to make "substantial progress" by 2020.
However, IICSA officials refused to say when the inquiry would end.However, IICSA officials refused to say when the inquiry would end.
The inquiry also announced it could stop short of investigating whether the late Labour peer Lord Janner abused children.The inquiry also announced it could stop short of investigating whether the late Labour peer Lord Janner abused children.
Writing in the review, Professor Jay said: "I plan to make recommendations in an interim report in 2018 and I am determined that the inquiry makes substantial progress by 2020." Writing in the review, Prof Jay said: "I plan to make recommendations in an interim report in 2018 and I am determined that the inquiry makes substantial progress by 2020."
She added: "There have been suggestions that the remit of the inquiry is too broad to succeed.She added: "There have been suggestions that the remit of the inquiry is too broad to succeed.
"I disagree. Its scope is a virtue, allowing it to recommend fundamental changes beyond the reach of an inquiry with a narrower remit.""I disagree. Its scope is a virtue, allowing it to recommend fundamental changes beyond the reach of an inquiry with a narrower remit."
Prof Jay was appointed to the troubled inquiry after the sudden resignation of New Zealand judge Dame Lowell Goddard.
She is the fourth person to chair the inquiry, which was first established in 2014 but has yet to hold a public evidence session.
The inquiry's investigations will look into cases as diverse as "the internet" and local councils.
There have been calls for it to be scaled back, with Dame Lowell Goddard saying there was an "inherent problem" in its "sheer scale and size".
However, Prof Jay concluded that no public hearings would be cancelled and all the investigations would be retained.
'Findings of fact'
The inquiry previously announced the investigation of allegations against Lord Janner had been delayed because of a parallel police investigation.
It said it was considering refocusing the Janner inquiry to concentrate on how institutions responded to allegations against him.
The review said it may not need to make "findings of fact" relating to whether he abused children.
Lord Janner's son Daniel welcomed the announcement, which he said suggested the inquiry was "stepping back from the unfairness of making findings of fact in relation to these false allegations given my innocent late father is dead and cannot answer back".
The inquiry's new timetable has scheduled hearings on the abuse of British migrant children overseas for February and July next year.
In October, there will be a hearing on abuse in Rochdale, including the role of the late MP Cyril Smith.
There will be a hearing in December 2017 about the English Benedictine Congregation in the Catholic Church, while in March 2018 there will be a hearing regarding its Anglican Church investigation.
Abuse survivor Phil Johnson - a core participant in the Anglican Church strand - told the BBC that was a "significant delay."
'People of prominence'
"I was told it would be late summer, probably September 2017," he added.
"There is a need for robust, thorough and timely investigation."
A senior official said it was the first time the body had published a timetable "and we will stick to it".
The review includes updates on all eleven investigations.
It also revealed a strand examining claims against "people of public prominence, past and present, associated with Westminster" has inspected documents held by the Cabinet Office and the intelligence agencies.