Abuse victims: SNP is treating us with disdain
A MAJOR child abuse inquiry was unravelling last night after victims threatened to abandon it – accusing the SNP of ‘contempt’ for their ordeals.
The controversial probe was plunged into disarray after two victims’ groups said they had lost faith in the public inquiry, which launched in October.
Some survivors said they ‘feel that they are being treated with contempt by education secretary Angela Constance’, who has snubbed repeated requests for a meeting. Problems i nclude grievances over the inquiry’s scope, and concerns that legislation to lift the time limit for victims of historical abuse to seek damages will not be passed.
There are fears major scandals will be excluded, i ncluding allegations of a child sex ring led by a ‘magic circle’ of senior legal figures.
Abuse by parish priests and within the Scout movement will not form part of the inquiry, led by Susan O’Brien, QC, who has insisted that widening its remit is a purely political decision.
Last night, Miss Constance fuelled the row by refusing to meet with victims.
Alan Draper of In Care Abuse Survivors (INCAS) said ‘ direct action’ was needed after Miss Constance snubbed victims saying she was ‘unable’ to meet them, without explaining why.
He said the minister ‘promised survivors in May 2015 that she would remain personally involved in overseeing the set-up of the inquiry’ but ‘since then she has totally disengaged with the process’.
Mr Draper said: ‘ Survivors note that the Cabinet Secretary does not offer any reason as to why she is “unable” to meet with them. It seems rather strange.’
Another victims’ group, White Flowers Alba, is seeking a judicial review to widen the
‘Inquiry unfit for purpose’
inquiry’s remit. It said it would not engage with the inquiry as it was ‘unfit for purpose’.
Renewing calls for a meeting with Miss Constance, it said: ‘Any statements made by the government are mendacious.’
The Scottish Government has announced it intends to end the three-year time bar for civil action in abuse cases, in place since 1964. But the Faculty of Advocates has said the existing system, where older claims are examined on a case-by-case basis, provides ‘fairness to both parties’.
Victims said the move was a ‘kick in the teeth’ and warned yesterday that there is no way the legislation to remove the time bar can be passed before the Holyrood election in May.
Last night a Scottish Government spokesman ruled out a meeting between Miss Constance and victims’ groups. He said interference by ministers would be ‘inappropriate’ given the independent nature of the inquiry.