‘I never put church before victims’ – head of abuse inquiry
Baroness Butler-Sloss, who is to lead an inquiry into allegations of an establishment child-abuse cover-up, denies claims she refused to expose allegations about a bishop.
Lady Butler-Sloss has come under renewed pressure over her role heading an inquiry into allegations of an establishment cover-up over child abuse claims.
The Home Office has defended her appointment after claims she refused to go public about a bishop implicated in a child abuse scandal she was investigating.
She allegedly told a victim of claimed abuse that she did not want to include allegations regarding a bishop in a review of Church of England handling of two paedophile priests because she “cared about the church” and “the press would love a bishop”, said The Times.
Lady Butler-Sloss made the comments in a meeting with Phil Johnson, who was abused by priests when he was a choirboy, during a private meeting in the House of Lords in 2011, the paper said.
In a statement, Lady Butler-Sloss said that she has “never” put the reputation of an institution ahead of justice for victims.
She said: “Throughout many years of public service I have always striven to be fair and compassionate, mindful of the very real suffering of those who have been victims of crime or other injustice.
“I have never put the reputation of any institution, including the Church of England above the pursuit of justice for victims.”
The claim has renewed pressure on Lady Butler-Sloss, who faced calls to stand down after reports that her brother Sir Michael Havers tried to prevent ex-MP Geoffrey Dickens airing claims about a diplomat in parliament in the 1980s.
The Home Office again defended her appointment, saying it stands behind her “unreservedly”.
A spokesman said: “Baroness Butler-Sloss has had a long and distinguished career at the highest levels of this country’s legal system.
“Her work leading the Cleveland child abuse inquiry and as president of the High Court’s Family Division make her the perfect person to lead this important piece of work.
Lady Butler-Sloss said: “I am honoured to be leading this inquiry into whether public bodies and other non-state institutions have done enough to protect children from sexual abuse.
“I am assembling an independent panel of experts so that we can begin this important work as soon as possible.”