Child abuse probe judge could cost us £5million

THE judge leading the inquiry into historical child sex abuse may cost taxpayers more than £5million.

New Zealand judge Dame Lowell Goddard, who admits she is unfamiliar with British law, earns a basic salary of £360,000 from the Home Office.

She receives a £110,000 annual rental allowance, £12,000 for utility bills, and a car and driver for official business.

Each year she will also get four business-class return flights to New Zealand for her and her husband plus two return economy flights for her children – with annual costs estimated at £55,000. The package has put her at the top of the public servants’ pay list.

The 67-year-old will cost the taxpayer more than £5million if, as predicted, the inquiry lasts a decade.

It had already been earmarked to last about five years but a lawyer for alleged victims has said it could take at least ten. The inquiry has spent almost £1 million of public money so

‘It will rankle with many taxpayers’

far and has yet to publicly question a single witness or victim. It could cost more than £100million.

There are fears Justice Goddard is struggling with her task after she appeared unaware of her powers as chairman last week. Asked to make a routine order restricting reporting, the judge had to seek advice on whether she had the right to do so.

She asked lawyers to give her advice on ‘local law’ and added: ‘I need to know the local scene.’

The inquiry, which was set up last year by then-home secretary Theresa May, is already behind schedule. Lawyers have privately expressed concerns about the delays and Justice Goddard’s handling of the inquiry.

She has said her ‘sincere hope and expectation is that it will be possible to conclude the inquiry’s work before the end of 2020’. An inquiry spokesman said it was ‘committed to completing its work as quickly and costeffectively as possible’.

Harry Davis, of the TaxPayers’ Alliance, said: ‘Justice Goddard is presiding over a serious and sensitive inquiry, but the financial deal handed to her will rankle with many taxpayers. Given that she is being paid an extremely high salary, her generous “living allowance” and international flights home are highly questionable.’