To think that the outcome of any child abuse probe centering around Westminster is foregone?

[MarmaladeShatkins]

And the outcome will be that no living politicians will be outed?

I think they will pin it on a few deceased MPs and continue to cover up the involvement of any public figures still alive. There might be one sacrificial lamb to silence the public but I think it will still be a big cover-up.

I do not believe that the police should police the police and that is exactly what is happening with Butler-Sloss heading the inquiry.

Good grief, if that story about EB-S telling an abuse victim to shut up as she didn't want to sacrifice a bishop to the press is true then she is entirely the wrong person to head this inquiry.

I agree with dancing that it takes a rare set of skills to lead an inquiry, but that attitude should rule her out, if it is in fact the case.

Why didn't they set up something akin to the Hillsborough independent panel? That got to the truth because it wasn't stuffed full of establishment figures. I suspect the answer is they don't want the unvarnished truth, they want something that can be 'managed' so it looks reasonable while actually failing to get to the heart of the matter, like the previous inquiries into Hillsborough.

Or the Stephen Lawrence inquiry. Which, while very strong and fearless in its findings, missed important elements as the police were able to hide important evidence such as the use of undercover cops to spy on the Lawrence family in an attempt to discredit them. Bet the same happens here - even if EB-S does her damndest, some information will still be hidden.

If online petitions had any desired effect (we British are brilliant at signing petitions, we feel like we've 'done' something without actually doing ANYTHING) then bedroom tax, workfare, reductions in child benefit would have all been done away with. Petitions, sadly, achieve the sum total of fuck all.

How about Vanessa Redgrave? I don't usually agree with her politics but she's involved and aware without being part of the establishment and a UNICEF goodwill ambassador.

The only way Russell Brand would make anyone in the establishment shit themselves is if they laughed so hard they burst their sphincters.

On this thread legitimate concerns about the inquiry appear to be taking second place to tin foil hat theories and russell brand. These weaken the arguments against the inquiry continuing on current lines.

They would run rings round him. And then they would give him some posh treats and he would roll over and let them tickle his tummy.

If you're going to pick a celebrity, pick one who actually knows how to think.

""Yep. Someone that makes the establishment shit themselves, like Russell Brand."

This is, presumably a joke..........."

No.

The government aren't bothered by a bunch of internetting mothers, believe it or not. They are bothered by people with 'status' speaking against them.

Agree with you edam on something like the hillsborough panel.

Bet your life some information will remain hidden because EB-S is still part of the establishment.Doesn't matter how thorough or credible she is the very people who should be coming out of the shadows to name names will be put off by what she represents. They should have put someone in charge who is not part of the privileged elite set. Someone like Camila Batmanghelidjh.

"They should have put someone in charge who is not part of the privileged elite set. Someone like Camila Batmanghelidjh."

Agreed.

I would love to see Camila Batmanghelidjh take this on but zero chance of it actually happening.

Camila would be an excellent choice if you actually wanted to get to the bottom of what went on/is still going on. Let's not hold our breaths then

Camila is exactly the sort of person to head this up. It would be nice if she'd lend her voice to the calls for a fairer and fuller enquiry .

Right I'm going to start tweeting, how about: Justice for victims of establishment child sex abuse will only be reached with an impartial, full enquiry #notob-s pls rt

Let's try and get it trending.

Does anyone know if there's an established hashtag already?

I don't think there is but #fairenquiry is succinct.

#fairinquiry with an I

(I keep getting it wrong)

Fuckit.

I blame the wine! I've spelled it right all the way through the threads up until just, honest.

Oops well I haven't above or in my tweets

Ok I've used #notob-s and #fairinquiry. If anyone wants to follow and rt from me pm me and I'll let you know my name.

No chance of a fair inquiry during summer holidays

It is a disgrace about Butler Schloss. Is she still there?

Still there. She reckons she isn't going anywhere.

Why would she want to go anywhere? It's nice and safe, I don't think her age is the most pertinent opposition to her leading an inquiry but it's not as if she has to worry about her career being ruined is it?

She should want to go elsewhere as she has a conflict of interest. Any decent judge would.

I've just retweeted Whiter's tweet (cheers Whiter ), but I'm not sure how you'd get more people to circulate it.

I'm @DoubleAgentZZ on it if anyone wants a starting place.