Setback for inquiry into allegations of child sex abuse against Lord Janner

Janner was MP for Leicester for over 20 years. Credit: PA

The inquiry into allegations of historic child sex offences against Lord Janner, the late MP for Leicester, is facing another setback after the chair Dame Lowell Goddard resigned.

Goddard said it was hard to shake off the legacy of difficulties the inquiry had and said it would have been better to start afresh.

The two previous chairwomen also resigned.

Dame Lowell Goddard resigned on Thursday. Credit: PA

The child sexual abuse inquiry is to carry out 13 separate investigations. They include allegations of child sexual abuse linked to Westminster and in the Anglican and the Roman Catholic Church.

One investigation will look into allegations of child sex abuse against Lord Greville Janner.

  • Janner was MP for Leicester for over 20 years.

  • Claims against the late politician were originally expected to be aired during inquiry proceedings starting in September, but Dame Lowell adjourned the hearing until March.

  • The peer, who died aged 87 in December, is alleged to have abused children over a period spanning more than 30 years and dating back to the 1950s, with offending allegedly taking place at children's homes and hotels.

  • His family said he was "an honourable man, entirely innocent and never convicted of any crime".

Another investigation will look into Nottinghamshire councils.

  • This will look into the extent of any institutional failures to protect children in the care of Nottingham City and Nottinghamshire councils following allegations of widespread sexual abuse and exploitation.

  • In a joint statement, the councils' chief executives said: "From the outset, we have taken these allegations seriously. The safety and well-being of children in our care today must be, and is, of the highest priority."