Janner child sex abuse inquiry delayed
An probe into the handling of a case surrounding the deceased politician has been postponed
The Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA)’s investigation into the handling of the case of late peer Lord Janner has been delayed.
A spokeswoman said the inquiry was committed to holding oral hearings but had postponed proceedings in order to allow the police and Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC) to continue separate investigations.
A spokeswoman for the IICSA said: “The Inquiry’s hearing into the institutional responses to allegations of child sexual abuse against the late Lord Janner of Braunstone QC has been delayed.
“This is in order to allow the ongoing police and IPCC investigations to continue so that we can avoid potential issues around witness overlap.
“We are still absolutely committed to holding oral hearings on this investigation.”
Daniel Janner QC, son of former-peer told Jewish News: “They are postponing a deeply flawed and disgracefully unfair strand.”
“It should be dropped.”
“The correct place for justice is a court of law and not the Inquiry where proper cross-examination of false allegations is not allowed. My father has been silenced through death and so any pretence at fairness or justice is a farce.”
Lord Janner, 87, who died in December, is alleged to have abused youngsters over a period spanning more than 30 years dating back to the 1950s, with offending said to have taken place at children’s homes and hotels.
Janner was a key figure within the Jewish community, having chaired the Board of Deputies, and co-founded the Holocaust Educational Trust.
The allegations against him were due to be examined at hearings of the public inquiry.
Richard Scorer, head of abuse at Slater and Gordon, which represents a number of LordJanner‘s alleged victims, called for “swift clarification” on when the inquiry hearings will begin.
He said: “Further delays to the inquiry are extremely disappointing for alleged victims who have already had to wait decades for justice.
“We understand the legal reasons for the delay, given the ongoing police investigations, but the survivors need swift clarification on when the inquiry hearings will begin.
“We are however pleased that we have received a formal written assurance from the Inquiry today that there will be oral hearings in the Janner module, and that all core participants will be fully consulted should the inquiry be minded to make any changes to the format of its investigation.”
News of the delay comes after the resignation of another senior lawyer.
Aileen McColgan, a law professor at Kings’ College London involved in the inquiry’s investigations into the Anglican and Catholic Church, reportedly quit due to concerns over the inquiry’s leadership.
Her departure follows the resignation of the inquiry’s senior counsel Ben Emmerson and his junior colleague, Elizabeth Prochaska.
The inquiry has also had four different chairwomen since it was set up in 2014.
The current chair is Professor Alexis Jay.
Asked about the latest departure Home Secretary Amber Rudd said: “Yes, I still have confidence in the inquiry.”
An inquiry spokeswoman did not confirm or deny Ms McColgan’s departure.
She said: “We have a large legal team comprising a number of junior counsel, senior counsel and solicitors.
“They come and go subject to their professional obligations and we are not commenting on specifics.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
