Abuse inquiry gets FOURTH chairman
After 3 false starts, new chief is woman who exposed Rotherham scandals– but victims still aren’t happy
A CHILD protection expert who helped uncover Rotherham’s grooming scandal has become the fourth chairman of the troubled abuse inquiry.
Professor Alexis Jay was unveiled yesterday as the new head of the crisis-torn probe into sexual abuse of youngsters – despite having no judicial experience.
The former social worker, who spent 30 years working in local government, previously led a widely praised review which found at least 1,400 children had been subjected to sexual exploitation in Rotherham.
But, although her appointment was widely welcomed, one victims’ group questioned whether – as the first chairman to not be a lawyer – she had the necessary legal knowledge to lead an inquiry that threatens to last up to a decade.
There are also concerns that her background in social work may cause a conflict of interest as many of the cases she will hear concern youngsters harmed while in council care.
The inquiry has lurched from one crisis to another since it was announced in 2014 by thenhome secretary Theresa May, with New Zealand High Court judge Dame Lowell Goddard the latest to stand down, saying last week she had become tainted by its ‘legacy of failure’.
She had faced criticism over her £5million pay and perks, and last week it emerged that she had spent three months of her first year in the job on holiday or abroad. Yesterday sources close to the inquiry stressed that Proin fessor Jay’s pay package would be ‘significantly lower’ than Dame Lowell’s.
The first inquiry chairman, retired judge Baroness ButlerSloss, quit in 2014 amid questions over the role played by her late brother, Michael Havers, who was attorney general at the time it was claimed abuse had been covered up.
Her replacement, lawyer Dame Fiona Woolf, resigned over her links to Establishment figures. Professor Jay, 67, has the advantage of already being a member of the panel that is employed to assist the inquiry chairman as they investigate claims of abuse in faith and religious organisations, the criminal justice system, local authorities and national institutions.
The decision to elevate her was met with approval by child protection experts, MPs and lawyers yesterday. Labour MP Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, said: ‘Professor Jay is clearly a suitable candidate with vast experience in these matters, is already a panel member, and has been commended for her inquiry in Rotherham.
‘I hope it will be fourth time lucky, as we must not let the victims and survivors down.’
Richard Scorer, from law firm Slater and Gordon, which represents a number of victims, said: ‘She will command huge respect and this is a fantastic appointment for the inquiry.’
And the NSPCC praised her track record, saying: ‘Professor Alexis Jay is hugely experienced
‘Legacy of failure’ ‘Clear conflict of interest’
child protection as her work revealing the true epidemic of child sexual exploitation in Rotherham clearly showed.’
However, Phil Frampton, of victims’ group Whiteflowers, said: ‘Alexis Jay has been around the inquiry for the last two years, and could have been put forward thrice previously, which smacks of desperation and a downgrading of the inquiry.
‘Jay is a former executive in social services, which so badly failed abuse survivors, so we will be presented with clear conflicts of interest, very similar to those that forced out ButlerSloss and Woolf.
‘Alexis Jay does not have the legal or forensic experience.’
Yesterday Professor Jay said: ‘Be in no doubt – the inquiry is open for business and people are busier than ever working hard to increase momentum.
‘I am determined to overcome the challenges along the way.’
And Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: ‘She has a strong track record in uncovering the truth and I have no doubt she will run this independent inquiry with vigour, compassion and courage.’