'Awful' Tory response to child sexual abuse inquiry

‘Huge disappointment and anger’ of victims and survivors

- HOLLY BANCROFT

The former chair of the child sexual abuse inquiry has hit out at the response of the Tory government to her recommendations,saying: “It was awful.”

Professor Alexis Jay told MPs yesterday that she was hugely disappointed to read the government’s official response to her suggestions, which were the culmination of an independent seven-year inquiry that sought to get to the bottom of institutional failings across England and Wales.

She told the home affairs committee: “When we got the final printed version of the government’s response, it was inconsequential, insubstantial, committed to nothing.”

She said the Tory government’s response “made no specific commitment” to her recommendations, adding: “The reaction of all of us, but mostly victims and survivors, was such huge disappointment and anger.”

The response was published in May 2023, when Suella Braverman was home secretary.

Prof Jay said the only recommendation acted upon was a requirement for people to report child sexual abuse, but said this was watered down and ultimately not enacted because of the general election.