Ex-abuse inquiry judge will be quizzed by MPs
THE former head of the beleaguered child abuse inquiry is to face MPs over explosive racism claims threatening to derail the £100million probe.
Dame Lowell Goddard has pledged her ‘commitment to assist’ a Parliamentary committee investigating incendiary misconduct claims, which Theresa May has been accused of covering up.
The judge, who was the third chairman of the crisis-hit inquiry, is now expected to give evidence to MPs via video link from New Zealand, where she lives.
She is set to face questions about allegations that she made racist remarks about Asian men, abused junior staff and threw tantrums during her tumultuous 16-month tenure. The accusations, which she vehemently denies, threaten to develop into a major political scandal for the Prime Minister and Home Secretary, who have both admitted knowing about concerns over Dame Lowell’s conduct before she quit the inquiry in August.
Her evidence before the Home Affairs Select Committee could lead to Mrs May being called to explain what she knew about the fiasco after she conceded on Wednesday that she had heard ‘stories’ about the
‘Will appear via videolink’
former chair, but did not intervene. Tim Loughton, who was acting chair of the committee until Yvette Cooper was elected to take over this week, told the Mail: ‘After an exchange of letters with Dame Lowell we now hope that she is going to appear via videolink in front of the committee.
‘After interviewing her we will take a considered view on whether to call other people like the Prime Minister to come along.’
Dame Lowell has written to the committee this week pledging her ‘commitment to assist’. She revealed that despite the growing furore, no one from the Home Office or the child abuse inquiry has asked her any questions about her conduct.
On Monday she wrote: ‘I have not been contacted by the Home Office, or the inquiry, or your committee, in relation to the matters I raised in my [resignation[ report. My resignation was tendered on August 4. All matters were finalised on August 11, and I was informed that I was not required to remain in England.
‘I was not asked to provide any information, any report, or take any further action following my resignation.’
Mr Loughton said he hoped to agree a date for Dame Lowell’s evidence to the Home Affairs Select Committee soon, although he admitted that it has no power to force the New Zealand judge to appear before them as she has left the country.