Child abuse QC cleared of groping ... by his own firm
THE former top lawyer to the £100million child abuse inquiry was cleared yesterday of a sex assault at its HQ after his own firm investigated him. Ben Emmerson QC was accused on BBC2’s Newsnight of groping a female member of staff in a lift at the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse.
But critics said the investigation into the allegation was not sufficiently independent.
The barrister, who quit the beleaguered inquiry after being suspended over ‘leadership’ concerns, was cleared following a secret probe commissioned by Matrix Chambers, which he co-founded.
It set up an investigation by former director of public prosecutions Sir David CalvertSmith, who concluded ‘without hesitation’ that Mr Emmerson had not committed sexual assault or sexual harassment. Last month, the father of the alleged victim – who has not been named – told the Mail Mr Emmerson had ‘ troubles’, adding: ‘ My daughter will come out of this with honour.’
Mr Emmerson is now likely to be investigated by the IICSA, which said last month that a lawyer would examine claims of bullying, racism and sexual assault.
The inquiry has been beset by problems after several lawyers and three chairmen quit. Last month, the Commons home affairs select committee said its handling of the sexual assault allegation had been ‘wholly inadequate’.
Victims and MPs reacted with fury yesterday as it emerged that the Matrix Chambers report on Mr Emmerson would remain confidential.
Andrew Lavery, of the abuse survivors’ group White Flowers Alba, said: ‘Why isn’t this report being made public?
‘This should have been carried out by the inquiry itself, not his chambers.
‘Where is the independence and transparency in that?’
Labour MP Lisa Nandy, who has led criticism of the inquiry, said: ‘An external review is no
‘Where is the transparency?’
substitute for an investigation by the inquiry, and today’s announcement will not help to restore faith in its work.’
Yesterday Mr Emmerson, who was paid £1,700 a day to work from home for the inquiry on a handover after leaving on September 29, confirmed that he finished his work last month.
He added: ‘I am pleased an independent senior judge has confirmed that the allegations against me were unfounded. I hope the inquiry can be left to get on with its important work.’
In a statement, Matrix Chambers said yesterday: ‘Sir David concluded “without hesitation” that Mr Emmerson had not committed any act of sexual assault or sexual harassment.’
An IICSA spokesman said: ‘An external senior legal figure will be reviewing some of the issues raised in the home affairs select committee’s report.’