Lady Smith appointed to head abuse inquiry

A senior judge has been appointed to lead the independent public inquiry into the abuse of children in care, weeks after its previous chair quit following claims she had made comments that were “offensive” to survivors.

Deputy First Minister John Swinney announced the Right Honourable Lady Smith will fill the vacancy at the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

He said Lady Smith, who was appointed as a judge in 2001, would bring “a wealth of knowledge and experience to the leadership of the inquiry from her significant service both as a QC and as a judge”.

He added: “Her leadership, independence and sensitivity will be key to the inquiry’s progress.

“It is in the nature of Lady Smith’s background as an experienced judge that the inquiry will be taken forward without fear or favour to identify how individuals and institutions failed many of Scotland’s most vulnerable children.”