Inquiry was postponed due to coronavirus outbreak

Lady Smith has announced the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry will resume in mid-September.

It is hoped the hearings will take place at the Inquiry’s hearing venue at Rosebery House in Edinburgh, said Lady Smith who chairs the hearings.

Evidence is likely to be taken both from witnesses in person, as well as remotely via video link. Further details will be provided as soon the inquiry can do so.

Other hearings postponed as a result of the pandemic are being rescheduled.

The phase of evidence relating to the Scottish Government knowledge and response to abuse is planned for mid-November 2020. A case study examining the abuse of children in boarding schools is expected to start in early 2021.

The inquiry is considering when it might be able to safely resume face-to-face meetings but in the meantime, has been harnessing technology to take statements from certain applicants remotely.

Its witness support team continues to operate the Talk to Us phone line and support applicants and other witnesses.

The Inquiry’s ‘Talk to Us’ phone lines will operate Monday - Friday between 10am and 4pm until further notice.