08/07/2014

Retired Judge Appointed Chair Of Historical Sex Abuse Inquiry

Lady Elizabeth Butler-Sloss has been named as the chairman of a new, wide-ranging, review into historical child sex abuse.

The 80-year-old retired senior judge previously led the Cleveland child abuse inquiry in the 1980s.

It is understood that the Lady Butler-Sloss inquiry will investigate "how seriously public bodies and other important institutions have taken their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse", according to the BBC.

Home Secretary Theresa May announced Lady Butler-Sloss's appointment, saying: "In recent years we have seen appalling cases of organised and persistent child sex abuse that have exposed serious failings by public bodies and important institutions.

"That is why the government has established an independent panel of experts to consider whether these organisations have taken seriously their duty of care to protect children from sexual abuse.

Former Labour minister Lord Warner: "People in power" targeted children's homes

"I am pleased to announce today that Baroness Butler-Sloss has been appointed to lead this inquiry."

(MH/CD)

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