Head of UK child sex abuse inquiry steps down

LONDON – The head of an inquiry into allegations of past child sex abuse high up in Britain’s parliament has stepped down after criticism of her links to leading establishment figures at the time.

Elizabeth Butler-Sloss resigned as chair of the inquiry Monday following controversy over the fact her deceased brother Michael Havers was the government’s top legal adviser in the period under scrutiny. Most of the reported incidents happened in the 1980s.

Critics of her appointment argued that victims would not have confidence in the inquiry if it was led by someone so close to the establishment.

British Prime Minister David Cameron expressed support for Butler-Sloss, saying the departure was her decision. His spokesman said “the government’s view hasn’t changed, that she would have done a first-class job.”