Collapse fears over crisis-hit abuse probe

ONE of the original members of the Scottish inquiry into child abuse says he fears for its future.

Professor Michael Lamb, who quit the inquiry last June claiming “interference” drove him away, said public confidence in the process is collapsing.

He was speaking after another member of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry resigned last week.

Former social worker Glenn Houston cited personal reasons for his decision.

Mr Houston’s decision to follow Prof Lamb in quitting means none of the original panel members are still in place after the chair of the inquiry, Susan O’Brien QC, resigned last year saying she had been “undermined”.

Ms O’Brien is now suing the Scottish Government.

Prof Lamb told The Sunday Post he was “very saddened to see the entire panel pushed out”.

He said: “The departure of all three members to the independent panel should be a matter of concern.”

And asked about his fears last year that the inquiry’s independence would be compromised, he said: “The concerns were enough to make me resign from an appointment I had accepted with great enthusiasm and commitment.

“Nothing that has happened since has made me more optimistic.”

The inquiry launched in 2015 to examine allegations of physical and sexual childhood abuse in care following a string of claims.

It is now being steered by respected judge Lady Smith, who is leading the inquiry on her own.

Andy Lavery, of survivor advocacy group White Flowers Alba, said: “There are now serious ethical and legal issues with the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.”

A spokeswoman for the Scottish Government insisted the inquiry was still on course and rejected claims of interference in the inquiry’ s independence.

The ongoing inquiry has made significant progress, it is understood.