Senior lawyer Aileen McColgan has reportedly resigned from the inquiry, citing concerns about the competency of its leadership. The revelation came during a segment of BBC Newsnight that also claimed several other barristers within IICSA are considering quitting on similar grounds. Ms McColgan is a Professor of Law at King’s College London and was the barrister in charge of investigating claims of child sexual abuse within the Anglican and Catholic churches at the IICSA.
‘Crisis of credibility’
Ms McColgan is just the latest in a string of senior lawyers to walk out on the IICSA this year. In September, former Counsel to the Inquiry Ben Emmerson QC tendered his resignation after being suspended by chairwoman Alexis Jay on the grounds of alleged misconduct. Mr Emmerson’s junior colleague Elizabeth Prochaska resigned shortly after, while Toby Fisher – one of the first barristers ever appointed to the inquiry – took his leave at the beginning of November. Shadow home secretary Diane Abbot has called on the IICSA to address the ‘crisis of credibility’ it currently faces by explaining the troubled inquiry’s problems to Parliament. She said: ‘The victims of child sex abuse have put their faith in this inquiry. The least they deserve is some openness from government and an explanation for what is going on.’
Sources: BBC; The Guardian; The Telegraph
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