Child abuse inquiry to hold first hearing

The child abuse inquiry will hold its first hearing in Edinburgh today.

Lady Smith, chair of the inquiry, will use the hearing to outline the approach of the probe.

The inquiry is due to last four years and will examine historical abuse of children in care.

It will consider, in its own words, “the extent to which institutions and bodies with legal responsibility for the care of children failed in their duty”, and will look particularly for “systemic failures”.

Lady Smith took the position after Susan O’Brien QC resigned in July last year, complaining about government interference.

She was followed by Professor Michael Lamb, who said it was “doomed”.

Education Secretary John Swinney previously refused survivors’ groups’ calls for the probe’s remit to be expanded, saying it must be restricted to in-care settings so it remains “deliverable within a reasonable timescale”.