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Latest head of abuse inquiry Lowell Goddard to face MPs

The latest figure to head Britain's long-delayed inquiry into child sex abuse is to be grilled by MPs later today.

Lowell Goddard, a High Court judge from New Zealand, was named as chair by Home Secretary Theresa May last week.

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Child Sex Abuse Inquiry panel to be 'dissolved and replaced'

The current panel in the Child Sex Abuse Inquiry will be dissolved and replaced with a new statutory inquiry, the Home Secretary has announced.

She said the decision was "by no means a criticism" of the current panel, and said existing members would be able to reapply for the new panel if they so choose.

Speaking in the House of Commons, Theresa May said a statutory inquiry was needed to give the panel the power to compel witnesses to give evidence - and said that the time limit would be extended.

The process is being reset. I want to assure survivors and the House, that I have heard the strong call that the inquiry's remit should go back further than the current time limit of 1970.

– Home Secretary Theresa May

She added that the Official Secrets Act would not be bar to give evidence in the inquiry, and secret information would be made available where appropriate.

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