Child abuse inquiry member resigns over Scottish government ‘interference’

A member of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry panel has resigned, claiming the Scottish government has “doomed” the inquiry before the first witness has been heard by repeatedly threatening its independence.

Michael E. Lamb, professor of psychology and fellow of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge has written to the Education Secretary, John Swinney, to explain his reasons for resigning.

Professor Lamb writes that “it has become increasingly clear over the last nine months that the Panel cannot act independently and that the Scottish Government intends to continue interfering in ways large and small, directly and indirectly”.

He adds that the inquiry’s fact-finding should not be constrained “by one of the bodies whose actions or failures to act may ultimately be criticised”.

He also claims the government has interfered with the appointment of staff “for prolonged periods of time while its officials have questioned the decisions made by the supposedly independent Inquiry”.

As a result, it has been left without “key personnel and resources needed to ensure progress”.

A spokesperson for the Scottish government said: “We entirely reject Professor Lamb’s comments about the Scottish government.

“The Scottish government has a clear obligation to fulfil its responsibilities within the requirements of The Inquiries Act 2005 and other relevant legislation. Our primary focus remains on supporting the successful operation of the independent statutory inquiry.

“Ministers are grateful to Professor Lamb for his work.”

They added: “The deputy first minister has also written to survivors and their representatives about Prof Lamb’s departure and assured them that his primary objective is to ensure that this does not impact on the progress that the independent inquiry has been making.”