Appointment of new head into historical child sex abuse is ‘better late than never’, says MP

The Labour MP is calling for significant resources to be made available to make up for a ‘wasted six months’.

New Zealand High Court judge Lowell Goddard was named as the head of a new inquiry in England and Wales on Wednesday 4th February.

Mr Mann said: “Theresa May has finally appointed the third chair of the inquiry – which can only be described as better late than never. The Government now needs to provide the resources needed to make up for six wasted months.”

“I am also calling on the Government to ensure the survivors’ groups need to be at the heart of all the inquiries and there should be no file that is not made available nor any witness who is able to avoid interview.”

“The inquiry has to be time-limited, completed within a maximum of two years and needs to have proposals for dealing with support for victims that come forward by September.”

“Clear regulations on support for victims are needed because of the current chaos and lack of support available, which is horrendous. Lives will be lost if the current lack of support is not remedied.”