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/business-28295282

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

Version 2 Version 3
Butler-Sloss steps down from child abuse inquiry Butler-Sloss steps down from child abuse inquiry
(about 2 hours later)
Retired judge Baroness Butler-Sloss has stepped down as head of a probe into child sex abuse saying she was "not the right person" for the job.Retired judge Baroness Butler-Sloss has stepped down as head of a probe into child sex abuse saying she was "not the right person" for the job.
Downing Street said "it was entirely her decision" and a new chair would be appointed within days.Downing Street said "it was entirely her decision" and a new chair would be appointed within days.
Lady Butler-Sloss has been under pressure to quit from MPs and victims concerned about her family links.Lady Butler-Sloss has been under pressure to quit from MPs and victims concerned about her family links.
Her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, was attorney general in the 1980s.Her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, was attorney general in the 1980s.
Downing Street said it would "take a few days" to appoint a new chairman and appeared to indicate that whoever was chosen would not be so closely linked to the establishment.
Lady Butler-Sloss said she "did not sufficiently consider" whether her family links would cause difficulties in the inquiry.Lady Butler-Sloss said she "did not sufficiently consider" whether her family links would cause difficulties in the inquiry.
Downing Street said it would "take a few days" to appoint a new chairman and appeared to indicate that whoever was chosen would not be so closely linked to the establishment.
Home Secretary Theresa May will face questions about the decision from MPs when she appears before the Home Affairs committee at 1500 BST
'Shambolic' process'Shambolic' process
Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons home affairs select committee, which is also investigating historical child sex abuse, said the peer had made the "right decision". Keith Vaz, chairman of the committee, which is also investigating historical child sex abuse, said the peer had made the "right decision".
"The whole inquiry process is becoming shambolic: missing files, ministers refusing to read reports and now the chair resigning before the inquiry is has even commenced," he said."The whole inquiry process is becoming shambolic: missing files, ministers refusing to read reports and now the chair resigning before the inquiry is has even commenced," he said.
Emma Jones, from Leigh Day solicitors, which represents alleged victims of child abuse, said it was a "sensible decision".
Esther Rantzen, founder of ChildLine, said ministers "must not appoint someone with obvious links to the establishment".Esther Rantzen, founder of ChildLine, said ministers "must not appoint someone with obvious links to the establishment".
"This inquiry, if properly led, could provide a platform for people who were unheard, invisible and have suffered a lifetime of abuse," she said."This inquiry, if properly led, could provide a platform for people who were unheard, invisible and have suffered a lifetime of abuse," she said.
In a statement, Lady Butler-Sloss said she had been "honoured" to chair the inquiry and had hoped to "make a useful contribution". In a statement, Lady Butler-Sloss said she had been "honoured" to be asked to chair the inquiry and had hoped to "make a useful contribution".
Important issuesImportant issues
But, she added: "It has become apparent over the last few days, however, that there is a widespread perception, particularly among victim and survivor groups, that I am not the right person to chair the inquiry.But, she added: "It has become apparent over the last few days, however, that there is a widespread perception, particularly among victim and survivor groups, that I am not the right person to chair the inquiry.
"It has also become clear to me that I did not sufficiently consider whether my background and the fact my brother had been attorney general would cause difficulties."It has also become clear to me that I did not sufficiently consider whether my background and the fact my brother had been attorney general would cause difficulties.
"This is a victim-orientated inquiry and those who wish to be heard must have confidence that the members of the panel will pay proper regard to their concerns and give appropriate advice to government."This is a victim-orientated inquiry and those who wish to be heard must have confidence that the members of the panel will pay proper regard to their concerns and give appropriate advice to government.
"Nor should media attention be allowed to be diverted from the extremely important issues at stake, namely whether enough has been done to protect children from sexual abuse and hold to account those who commit these appalling crimes.
"Having listened to the concerns of victim and survivor groups and the criticisms of MPs and the media, I have come to the conclusion that I should not chair this inquiry and have so informed the Home Secretary.""Having listened to the concerns of victim and survivor groups and the criticisms of MPs and the media, I have come to the conclusion that I should not chair this inquiry and have so informed the Home Secretary."
The inquiry was set up to examine how state institutions handled their duty of care to protect children from paedophiles.The inquiry was set up to examine how state institutions handled their duty of care to protect children from paedophiles.
What next? By BBC political correspondent Iain WatsonWhat next? By BBC political correspondent Iain Watson
Most public bodies at least claim they appoint people because of what they know, not who they know. But it was Lady Butler-Sloss's family and political connections - not her experience and knowledge - which led to her resignation.Most public bodies at least claim they appoint people because of what they know, not who they know. But it was Lady Butler-Sloss's family and political connections - not her experience and knowledge - which led to her resignation.
There will be no rush to appoint her successor - it could take several days. That's because while her resignation was unfortunate, a second controversial appointment might look like carelessness at the top of government.There will be no rush to appoint her successor - it could take several days. That's because while her resignation was unfortunate, a second controversial appointment might look like carelessness at the top of government.
Already there are calls for a figure less linked to the establishment to be appointed - but if a legal background, along with the security clearance to read confidential government papers is required, then that could be easier said than done.Already there are calls for a figure less linked to the establishment to be appointed - but if a legal background, along with the security clearance to read confidential government papers is required, then that could be easier said than done.
David Cameron's spokesman said there had been no change in the view of the prime minister or Home Secretary Theresa May about Lady Butler-Sloss's integrity or suitability for the job.David Cameron's spokesman said there had been no change in the view of the prime minister or Home Secretary Theresa May about Lady Butler-Sloss's integrity or suitability for the job.
"She has taken the decision to step down as chair of the panel inquiry," he said. "It is entirely her decision."She has taken the decision to step down as chair of the panel inquiry," he said. "It is entirely her decision.
"The government's view hasn't changed, that she would have done a first-class job as chair. The reasons for her appointment still absolutely stand in terms of her professional expertise and her integrity, which I don't think has been questioned from any quarter whatsoever, and rightly so.""The government's view hasn't changed, that she would have done a first-class job as chair. The reasons for her appointment still absolutely stand in terms of her professional expertise and her integrity, which I don't think has been questioned from any quarter whatsoever, and rightly so."
No 10 said the decision had not been prompted by suggestions a co-chairman might be appointed to the panel. 'Saddened'
Mrs May, who spoke to Lady Butler-Sloss over the weekend, said she was "deeply saddened" by her decision, "but understand and respect her reasons". Mrs May said she was "deeply saddened" but understood the peer's decision.
"Baroness Butler-Sloss is a woman of the highest integrity and compassion and continues to have an enormous contribution to make to public life," she added."Baroness Butler-Sloss is a woman of the highest integrity and compassion and continues to have an enormous contribution to make to public life," she added.
For Labour, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said: "We have called for this inquiry for over 18 months. It is very unfortunate that the last minute nature of the Home Secretary's response means that proper consideration was not given to the perception of conflict of interest and Lady Butler-Sloss was placed in an unfair position by the Home Office. For Labour, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said it was the right decision since concerns about "victim confidence or conflict of interest" had not been addressed.
"She has done some excellent work on child protection, but the Home Office has not managed to address the concerns about either victim confidence or conflict of interest, and Lady Butler-Sloss's decision is the right one." "It is very unfortunate that the last minute nature of the Home Secretary's response means that proper consideration was not given to the perception of conflict of interest and Lady Butler-Sloss was placed in an unfair position by the Home Office," she said.
BBC political correspondent Norman Smith said questions had been raised over Lady Butler-Sloss's age - she will be 81 next month. Author Alex Wheatle, who was abused at a children's home in the late 1960s, said victims must be "100% sure they will be treated fairly".
"For any people coming forward they must have the utmost confidence in whoever chairs that inquiry," he said.
Peter Saunders, from the National Association for Abused People in Childhood, said the government had "missed a trick" in not seeking the views of victims before the appointment.
"We need somebody who is trusted," he said. "This is not a slight on Lady Butler-Sloss... but there were so many things stacked against her in having the trust of survivors."