Westminster sex inquiry: Key moments so far

Fiona Woolf has stood down after less than two months into the inquiry role. Credit: PA

Fiona Woolf has become the second person to quit as head of the government's probe into historical child abuse within Westminster following concerns over her links to establishment figures.

Here are the key moments of the inquiry so far:

  • July 7: Home Secretary Theresa May announces an independent inquiry to examine the handling of child abuse allegations by state institutions as well as the BBC, churches and political parties.

  • July 8: Baroness Butler-Sloss is named as chairwoman.

  • July 9: There are calls for Butler-Sloss to step down when it emerges her brother Lord Michael Havers was attorney general in the 1980s when the abuse is said to have taken place. The Home Office still backs her.

  • July 12: Claims are published in The Times that Baroness Butler-Sloss protected a bishop by not publishing victims' accounts of alleged abuse in a report because "she "cared about the Church" and "the press would love a bishop".

  • July 14: Baroness Butler-Sloss voluntarily steps down saying her family links would "cause difficulties" for the inquiry.

  • September 5: Lawyer and Lord Mayor of the City of London Fiona Woolf is named new chairwoman of the inquiry.

  • September 7: The Mail on Sunday reveals links between Mrs Woolf and Lord Brittan, who is likely to give evidence to the inquiry after being accused of failing to act on a dossier he was handed in 1983 detailing the alleged involvement of VIP figures in a child sex ring.

  • September 8: Downing Street says the Prime Minister continues to have "strong support" for the appointment.

  • October 21: Theresa May insists she has confidence in Woolf after she gives details of her links to Lord Brittan.

  • Woolf confirms she lives in the same street as Brittan, has attended dinner parties at his house and sponsored his wife £50 for a fun run but insists there is nothing that would stop her chairing the inquiry.

  • There are calls for her to step down after critics claim her and Brittan were "clearly good friends".

  • October 22: Pressure mounts on Woolf from to stand down.

  • Solicitor Alison Millar, who represents a number of abuse victims, says the chairwoman "really does not have the necessary credibility to lead such an important inquiry".

  • A photograph surfaces of Woolf chatting to Lady Brittan at a prize-giving last October - Woolf previously stated she had had "no social contact with Lord and Lady Brittan since April 23 2013".

  • October 30: Labour MP Keith Vaz claims Woolf has attempted to "play down" her links to Lord Brittan as it is reported Woolf's letter to Home Secretary clarifying relationship with the Brittans was rewritten seven times with the help from Home Office officials.

  • October 31: Alleged victims of abuse meet with the inquiry panel's secretariat for the first time and demand Woolf's resignation.

  • Woolf is called to face the Home Affairs Committee by chairman Keith Vaz again to face questions over "recent developments".

  • Woolf announces her resignation from the inquiry after losing "too much support" in her ability to lead the probe.

  • Home Secretary accepts Woolf's resignation "with regret" and confirms she will make a Commons statement on Monday 3 November.