The Deputy First Minister said he is committed to "building trust" with abuse survivors after meeting campaign groups concerned about the independence of Scotland's child abuse inquiry in the wake of the resignation of two leading panel members.
Inquiry chair Susan O'Brien QC resigned on Monday after formal proceedings were launched to remove her following claims she made comments that were ''offensive'' to survivors.
Panel member Professor Michael Lamb has also stepped down, saying the review is ''doomed'' due to interference by ministers.
In her resignation letter, Ms O'Brien's lawyer said the inquiry's work ''will have no value'' if its independence cannot be guaranteed.
John Swinney defended officials against claims they undermined the inquiry, saying they acted ''legitimately and appropriately'' within the law.
The Deputy First Minister met groups in Edinburgh on Thursday, including In Care Abuse Survivors, Former Boys And Girls Abused and White Flowers Alba, to hear their concerns.
Andrew Lavery, from White Flowers Alba, said people needed to be held to account by the inquiry.
He told BBC Scotland: "There needs to be not just recommendations, but societal change.
"(The inquiry must) seek to repair and redress the harm of the past instead of ignoring thousands of people who were abused, which is completely wrong."
Mr Swinney said: "I am hugely grateful to all of the survivors for the significant time they gave to today's discussion and their openness during the meeting. I have been keen to consider all the issues that have been raised by survivors in light of recent events in connection to the public inquiry.
"The meeting was originally to be my first opportunity to listen carefully to survivors since becoming Education Secretary as part of the Government's commitment to meet regularly. The inquiry dominated much of the discussion, but I was also able to hear the various opinions on how the expanded support fund is developing and what more we need to consider in the support available to survivors.
"I want to assure survivors that I have heard them today. I recognise how important it is for us to build trust and I am absolutely committed to that. I am utterly committed to an independent inquiry and I have tried to answer all the questions survivors had. I will now take time to consider the issues they have raised, including expanding the remit of the inquiry.
"All the evidence already collected by the inquiry will be utilised and work has begun on filling the panel vacancies while the remaining panel member and the team continue processing applications. The inquiry remains on track, and I will be meeting survivor groups again over the summer."
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