Mr Emmerson was suspended and then later resigned from the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse (IICSA) after chairwoman Alexis Jay said she had become ‘very concerned’ about aspects of his leadership. Shortly thereafter, it emerged that the prominent barrister had been accused of sexually assaulting a woman and fellow IICSA colleague in an elevator at the Inquiry’s offices in Millbank, a claim that Mr Emmerson has always ‘categorically denied.’

Internal investigation

Matrix Chambers has now revealed that it conducted its own internal investigation into the allegations against one of its top silks, and concluded that the allegations against Mr Emmerson were unsupported. The chambers’ management committee appointed Sir David Calvert-Smith, a retired High Court judge and former Director of Public Prosecutions, to investigate the claims and produce a report on his findings. In the confidential report, Sir David concludes ‘without hesitation’ that Mr Emmerson did not commit sexual assault or harassment. A statement from Matrix reads: ‘The Management Committee has accepted Sir David’s findings and is satisfied that they demonstrate no case of professional misconduct to report to the Bar Standard Board.’

Sources: Legal Cheek; Legal Business