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.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-28211253

Oh dear, that does look very worrying. I'm sure she was applying the law to the best of her understanding and ability but...

m.facebook.com/groups/1419953698274120 march this Friday.

I've just this minute seen on twitter something about a protest this Friday 11am at parliament

twitter.com/horwood1944

SittingnexttoSanta, you didn't have to have a law degree to be called to the Bar. It was not a requirement (not sure it is now, either, but am not a lawyer so could be wrong). You could train directly in the vocation, as it were, much as nurses could train on the job rather than take degrees. There's nothing dodgy about it. Solicitors didn't need law degrees either, they could go through the articled clerk route.

When EBS was called to the Bar you didn't need a degree. You still don't need a law degree. Other judges and silks of her generation don't have law degrees either. She was president of the Family Division, which is pretty impressive, and has a great deal of expertise in areas of law relating to child abuse.

I'm not sure about her appointment either. Mostly because, as edam suggested upthread, a Hillsborough style panel would be more appropriate.

Sorry, I meant that other judges and silks of her generation didn't have degrees. Many still don't have law degrees.

degree or not , its her connections that are the problem

Exactly, ssd.

It doesn't matter if she's qualified and experienced up to her eyeballs. This particular task has a conflict of interest for her (investigating her brother), and therefore she is not eligible to do it.

B-S has stood down

Baroness Butler-Sloss has stepped down ! Thank god

Maybe shes reading Mumsnet

Has she really?!!! Wow! I hope her replacement will be better.

Her brother curbed the investigation into Kincora

I'm glad she stepped down, and think she did so with dignity.

Thank goodness she did, I hope TM makes a wiser choice next time.

If we all jump up and down shouting, 'Tom Watson, Tom Watson..!' do you think they'd hear..?

I'd rather have Tom doing what he's doing, where he's doing it.

Helena Kennedy is who I'd go for.

www.newstatesman.com/politics/2014/07/westminster-child-abuse-inquiry-corruption-heart-state

Odd isnt it that Tom Watson knew about the missing files for a very long time indeed!

It could be argued that his sole interest is in partisan gain.

linky

I don't doubt Guido is arguing Watson's "sole interest is partisan gain".

He can recycle all his posts from when Watson was campaigning about misbehaviour by News International and its uncomfortably close relationship with Downing St.

Funnily enough, that's just resulted in a conviction.

This isn't about parties. Tom Watson is Labour, Tim Loughton and Zac Goldsmith are Conservative.

www.itv.com/news/story/2014-07-12/david-cameron-cabinet-tory-reshuffle/ KC is going!

I'll miss Ken Clarke. Good egg for a Tory.

You don't think the timing is a little suss...?