Fourth chair named for Lord Janner abuse claims probe

A FORMER social worker has been named as the fourth chairwoman of an inquiry investigating sexual abuse allegations made against Lord Janner.

Professor Alexis Jay has been appointed to lead the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) following the resignation of Dame Lowell Goddard last week.

The child protection expert previously led the groundbreaking inquiry which revealed the sexual exploitation of at least 1,400 children in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, between 1997 and 2013.

She said she is committed to ensuring the inquiry goes ahead with “confidence and clarity”.

The IICSA is looking into allegations made against former Leicester MP and Labour peer Greville Janner, as well as a number of public figures and institutions, including Leicestershire Police and the county council.

Lord Janner, who died aged 87 in December, is alleged to have abused youngsters over a period spanning more than 30 years dating back to the 1950s, with offending taking place at children’s homes and hotels.

The CPS brought legal proceedings against Janner, who suffered from dementia, last year but the situation was left in limbo following his death.

A “trial of the facts”, where a jury considers the evidence but does not make a verdict on guilt, was to due to go ahead in April, before it was called off.