Child abuse inquiry head Fiona Woolf faced fresh pressure today over her links to former home secretary Lord Brittan and his wife.
Keith Vaz, chairman of the Commons home affairs committee, wrote to Mrs Woolf seeking an explanation over an apparent discrepancy in her evidence to Parliament about her relationship with the Brittans.
She had told the MPs she had not had any social contact with Lady Brittan since April last year. But a photograph has emerged which suggests she was at an awards ceremony with Lord Brittan’s wife in October 2013.
Lord Brittan was home secretary in 1984 when ministers were handed a dossier on alleged high-profile paedophiles. It was considered by officials and handed to police but no action was taken and the information has since vanished. Lord Brittan insists proper procedures were followed.
David Cameron has given “full confidence” to Mrs Woolf to chair the public inquiry investigating past child abuse scandals. In his letter to Mrs Woolf, Mr Vaz asks if she has met Lord Brittan or his wife on any other occasions than previously disclosed. In a series of 10 questions, the senior Labour MP also:
Expresses concerns over whether Mrs Woolf will have time to carry out the inquiry while also fulfilling her duties as Lord Mayor of London.
Asks if she will seek to gain more knowledge of child abuse and protection issues before starting the inquiry.
Asks whether a judicial review being sought over her appointment could delay matters.
She has already admitted she attended two dinner parties at Lord Brittan’s home and hosted him and his wife on three further occasions. She also met Lady Brittan for coffee, sat on a prize-giving panel with her, and sponsored her £50 for a fun run.
The photo that has emerged seems to show Mrs Woolf and Lady Brittan speaking to ex-BBC newsreader Martyn Lewis at the Lord Mayor’s Dragon Awards ceremony in October 2013.
A dozen MPs have signed a Commons motion calling for her to be replaced.
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg was more supportive of her today, having previously said only that the appointment had been made after “an extensive process and recommendation” by Home Secretary Theresa May.
Speaking on LBC radio he described Mrs Woolf as a “very credible person”, adding: “I haven’t heard anything which suggests to me that the Home Secretary took the wrong decision.”
The Home Office said: “The Home Secretary is confident that this panel, under Fiona Woolf, will carry out a robust inquiry, and challenge institutions without fear or favour.”
