Lady Smith to head child abuse inquiry

 

 

The Inner House judge, Lady Smith, has been named as the new Chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.

The appointment takes effect from 1 August, and follows the resignation of the previous Chair, Susan O’Brien, QC.

Lady Smith will be relieved of her judicial duties, but may sit occasionally if workload permits.

She said: “Sadly, many children placed in residential care in this country have, over a period stretching back years, not been afforded the protection they deserved. Their voices now require to be heard and questions of when, where, how and why it happened require to be fully addressed.

“Real efforts must be made to try to effect healing, repair, restoration of dignity and hope for the future. It is, accordingly, very important that the work of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry continue and it is for these reasons that I welcome the invitation that has been extended to me by the Deputy First Minister and have today given my commitment to being its Chair.”

The full announcement is at http://news.scotland.gov.uk/News/Scottish-Child-Abuse-Inquiry-2796.aspx