Susan O’Brien QC has resigned as chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said in a statement.
The incident comes less than a week after another member of the three person panel resigned citing government ‘interference’ in the probe.
He said it came after an incident in which Ms O’Brien revealed ‘views that were interpreted by an expert in child abuse trauma’ who heard them to indicate a ‘belief system that is incompatible with the post of chair of such an inquiry.’ Mr Swinney added that her comments were viewed to be ‘offensive’ to victims and unacceptable.
Mr Swinney said: “Our priority has always been to support the successful operation of the Inquiry, ensuring it continues to make progress. Sadly, the comments of the chair raised serious concerns.
“The comments made were considered by a leading abuse trauma expert to be totally unacceptable and to indicate a belief system that is incompatible with the post of chair of such an inquiry; to be offensive to survivors and to lack any context in which they could be seen as acceptable. What’s more, these actions had the potential to cause the loss of confidence of survivors – the very people at the heart of the inquiry.
“Given the severity of those concerns, I felt I had a duty to initiate statutory proceedings which could have led to removal of the chair from post. Ms O’Brien’s resignation clearly now means that process has not been concluded and frees me to now share the facts of the case with Parliament. I am happy for a committee of Parliament to consider this matter and any claims made by the chair.
“This government absolutely rejects any charges of interference in the independence of the inquiry. The issues that concern the government are about having a robust independent inquiry that can operate without fear or favour, fulfilling our responsibilities set out in the Inquiries Act 2005 and other relevant legislation and ensuring that the Chair’s departure has as little impact as possible on the progress of the work needed.
“These events have been very difficult for the team who are conducting the work of the inquiry. We will now initiate a process to recruit a new chair for the inquiry. We are confident that the inquiry staff will continue to deliver the highest quality of work and the Scottish Government will always remain focussed on supporting them as they work on behalf of abuse survivors.”
Last week Michael Lamb – one of two other members of the panel, including Glenn Houston – quit last week, citing "repeated threats" to the independence of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry.
The four year probe has been criticised by survivors of abuse.
When questioned, Mr Swinney said Ms O’Brien did not dispute the comments were made but maintained they were “acceptable” in the context in which they were made, he added.
Mr Swinney has written to the Parliament’s Education and Skills Committee providing the details of the case.
The Deputy First Minister will be meeting survivors on Thursday and will take urgent steps to appoint a new chai
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