Child sex abuse inquiry to launch after setbacks

An major independent inquiry into historical child sexual abuse will launch today after a series of delays and leadership issues.

Called by Home Secretary Theresa May in July 2014, the inquiry will look into whether public bodies and other institutions have sufficiently protected children from sexual abuse in England and Wales.

It will be chaired by Lowell Goddard, a High Court judge from New Zealand, who will give an opening statement to set out the "guiding principles" - including how evidence will be taken, what timescales will be looked at and which areas of public life will be examined.

In February, Goddard became the third person to take charge of the inquiry after it was beset by concerns over links to the establishment.

The initial appointee, retired judge Baroness Butler-Sloss, stood down from the inquiry after concerns were raised over the fact her brother, former attorney general Sir Michael Havers, was Attorney General during the period in which many alleged abuse cover-ups have centred.

Her replacement, former Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf, also quit amid intense pressure over her links to Lord Brittain, a 1980s Home Secretary whose decision making is likely to be examined during the inquiry.

Theresa May was forced to apologise following the setbacks, and a number of alleged victims withdrew from participation in the inquiry, arguing it was "not fit for purpose".

Institutions which will fall within the inquiry's scope include government departments, churches and other religious organisations, political parties, police, schools and local authorities.

The inquiry itself will not be responsible for determining potential criminal liability of any individuals or organisations, while any allegations of child abuse received will be passed to the police.

Despite earlier concerns it may not go ahead, the inquiry will finally begin its work this morning.

Also on the panel are Professor Malcolm Evans, of Bristol University, child protection barrister Ivor Frank, Professor Alexis Jay, who led the inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, and Drusilla Sharpling, of the police inspectorate.