Simon Danczuk says valuable time lost as Fiona Woolf steps down as the head of inquiry into historic child sex abuse

Simon Danczuk MP

Fiona Woolf is to step down as the head of an inquiry into historic child sex abuse.

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk, who was the first to call for Mrs Woolf to stand down, said he takes no satisfaction from the announcement because valuable time has been lost.

Mrs Woolf said it had been clear for some time that victims did not have confidence in her, adding that it was time to "get out of the way".

Victims' groups earlier told government officials they were "unanimous" she should quit, citing her social links with ex-Home Secretary Lord Brittan.

Mr Danczuk said: “There has been an air of inevitability about this for weeks, but I take no satisfaction from today’s announcement. We’ve lost valuable time on an extremely important inquiry that needs to get at the truth as quickly as possible because some of the child abusers are very old and could well die before justice catches up with them.

"The Home Office have made two terrible appointments and Theresa May clearly has serious questions to answer about her role in this shambles.

"As a result there’s now a deep distrust on the part of survivors of sex abuse and we’re all going to have to redouble our efforts to win their confidence back and convince people that the country is genuinely committed at uncovering the truth and bringing abusers to justice.”