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Abuse inquiry: Fiona Woolf faces fresh pressure to quit Abuse inquiry: Fiona Woolf faces fresh pressure to quit
(35 minutes later)
Victims' groups are due to meet officials from a child sex abuse inquiry and are expected to reiterate calls for the inquiry's head to resign. Victims' groups are meeting officials from a child sex abuse inquiry and are expected to reiterate calls for the inquiry's head to resign.
Some victims have already said Fiona Woolf should step down because of her social links to ex-Home Secretary Lord Brittan, whose handling of abuse claims in the 1980s has been questioned.Some victims have already said Fiona Woolf should step down because of her social links to ex-Home Secretary Lord Brittan, whose handling of abuse claims in the 1980s has been questioned.
A victims' representative said he had "zero confidence" in the inquiry.A victims' representative said he had "zero confidence" in the inquiry.
The government said it still had confidence in Mrs Woolf.The government said it still had confidence in Mrs Woolf.
The inquiry will look at whether public bodies and other institutions did enough to protect children from sexual abuse, from 1970 to the present day.The inquiry will look at whether public bodies and other institutions did enough to protect children from sexual abuse, from 1970 to the present day.
The first person appointed to lead it - Baroness Butler-Sloss - stepped down in July after concerns were raised about her family links.The first person appointed to lead it - Baroness Butler-Sloss - stepped down in July after concerns were raised about her family links.
'Whitewash''Whitewash'
Mrs Woolf is not expected to be at the meeting with victims' representatives, including lawyer Alison Millar, who is to call for her to step down because "our clients just don't have faith in her". Mrs Woolf is not thought to be at the meeting with victims' representatives, including lawyer Alison Millar, who is to call for her to step down because "our clients just don't have faith in her".
The NSPCC, which will also attend the meeting, has declined to give explicit backing to Mrs Woolf, a corporate lawyer. The NSPCC is also at the meeting in London, which began at about 10:30 GMT.
The charity has declined to give explicit backing to Mrs Woolf, a corporate lawyer.
It said the government inquiry should be judged on its work rather than who leads it, but that it should get under way.It said the government inquiry should be judged on its work rather than who leads it, but that it should get under way.
Head of ChildLine Sue Minto was asked if she backed Mrs Woolf as head of the inquiry, in an interview on BBC Radio 4's Today programme.
She replied: "I think the most important thing is to ensure that whoever chairs the inquiry also has an excellent team."
But Peter Saunders, of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, said Mrs Woolf was an "entirely inappropriate" choice.But Peter Saunders, of the National Association for People Abused in Childhood, said Mrs Woolf was an "entirely inappropriate" choice.
"What in God's name are they doing appointing a corporate lawyer who knows, and has already demonstrated she knows, nothing about this deeply entrenched social evil?" he said."What in God's name are they doing appointing a corporate lawyer who knows, and has already demonstrated she knows, nothing about this deeply entrenched social evil?" he said.
He called the inquiry a "whitewash", adding: "Survivors just want the truth. We have zero confidence that this will follow."He called the inquiry a "whitewash", adding: "Survivors just want the truth. We have zero confidence that this will follow."
'Not close''Not close'
A victim of historical child sexual abuse has already launched a legal challenge to Mrs Woolf's appointment, claiming she is not impartial, has no relevant expertise and may not have time to discharge her duties.A victim of historical child sexual abuse has already launched a legal challenge to Mrs Woolf's appointment, claiming she is not impartial, has no relevant expertise and may not have time to discharge her duties.
Earlier this month Mrs Woolf, who is Lord Mayor of London, disclosed that she lived in the same street as Lord Brittan and had dinner with him five times between 2008 and 2012 - but said he was not a "close associate".Earlier this month Mrs Woolf, who is Lord Mayor of London, disclosed that she lived in the same street as Lord Brittan and had dinner with him five times between 2008 and 2012 - but said he was not a "close associate".
Lord Brittan may be called to give evidence to the inquiry. He denies any wrongdoing in the way the "dossier" on alleged high-profile paedophiles was handled in the 1980s.Lord Brittan may be called to give evidence to the inquiry. He denies any wrongdoing in the way the "dossier" on alleged high-profile paedophiles was handled in the 1980s.
Abuse inquiry: How we got hereAbuse inquiry: How we got here
1 July - MP Simon Danczuk calls on former Home Secretary Leon Brittan to say what he knew about paedophile allegations passed to him in the 1980s1 July - MP Simon Danczuk calls on former Home Secretary Leon Brittan to say what he knew about paedophile allegations passed to him in the 1980s
7 July - Government announces independent inquiry into the way public bodies investigated and handled child sex abuse claims. Baroness Butler-Sloss chosen as head7 July - Government announces independent inquiry into the way public bodies investigated and handled child sex abuse claims. Baroness Butler-Sloss chosen as head
9 July - Baroness Butler-Sloss (pictured) faces calls to quit because her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, was attorney general in the 1980s9 July - Baroness Butler-Sloss (pictured) faces calls to quit because her late brother, Sir Michael Havers, was attorney general in the 1980s
14 July - She stands down, saying she is "not the right person" for the job14 July - She stands down, saying she is "not the right person" for the job
5 September - Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf named the new head of the inquiry5 September - Lord Mayor of London Fiona Woolf named the new head of the inquiry
11 October - Mrs Woolf discloses she had five dinners with Lord Brittan from 2008-1211 October - Mrs Woolf discloses she had five dinners with Lord Brittan from 2008-12
22 October - Abuse victim launches legal challenge against Mrs Woolf leading the inquiry, amid growing calls for her resignation22 October - Abuse victim launches legal challenge against Mrs Woolf leading the inquiry, amid growing calls for her resignation
On Thursday, MP Keith Vaz said letters from Mrs Woolf showed her appointment was "chaotic". He said a letter from Mrs Woolf about her links with Lord Brittan was re-written seven times and the final version gave a "sense of greater detachment".On Thursday, MP Keith Vaz said letters from Mrs Woolf showed her appointment was "chaotic". He said a letter from Mrs Woolf about her links with Lord Brittan was re-written seven times and the final version gave a "sense of greater detachment".
The Home Office said Mrs Woolf had demonstrated "openness and transparency".The Home Office said Mrs Woolf had demonstrated "openness and transparency".
"We remain confident Fiona Woolf and the panel members can carry out their duties to the highest standards of impartiality and integrity," it said."We remain confident Fiona Woolf and the panel members can carry out their duties to the highest standards of impartiality and integrity," it said.
Labour's shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said Home Secretary Theresa May had "totally failed" to get the inquiry going.Labour's shadow home secretary, Yvette Cooper, said Home Secretary Theresa May had "totally failed" to get the inquiry going.