Child abuse inquiry: Home Secretary Theresa May under pressure to give investigation greater powers

‘The embattled Home Secretary, Theresa May, is considering hardening the inquiry into child sex abuse to rescue the wide-ranging investigation from being further discredited.

At the meeting on Friday which decided the fate of the panel chair, Fiona Woolf, all 21 representatives of victims’ groups and campaigners demanded that the inquiry carry statutory powers, including compelling witnesses and documents to be disclosed. This demand is being considered by Ms May after campaigners cautioned that this was necessary to ensure credibility.

It was also revealed that the panel will have vetting clearance allowing them access to intelligence files and information.’

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