MPs will not get to grill sex abuse judge over resignation

THE New Zealand judge who dramatically quit as chairwoman of a UK child sex abuse inquiry will not meet MPs to explain her resignation, it emerged last night.

Dame Lowell Goddard will submit a written report after efforts by the Home Affairs Select Committee to make her appear in person failed.

Her departure from the £500,000a-year role last month, having lost the confidence of senior staff, cast the £100 million independent inquiry into chaos. Asked if she would attend Wednesday’s session of the committee alongside new Home Secretary Amber Rudd, Dame Lowell, 67, said from Wellington, New Zealand: ‘I don’t anticipate it, no.’

The Independent Inquiry into Child Sex Abuse – which will examine allegations of abuse by the late Labour peer Lord Janner as part of its investigation – is now chaired by Alexis Jay, who carried out the Rotherham child sexual exploitation inquiry.