In response to the announcement by the Metropolitan Police Commissioner that he has asked Sir Richard Henriques to lead an independent review concerning non-recent sexual allegations, the Chair of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse, Hon. Dame Lowell Goddard DNZM said,
"The Henriques review announced by the Metropolitan Police this week is separate to the ongoing work of the Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse. The Inquiry will proceed with its own statutory investigations into the extent to which institutions have failed to protect children from sexual abuse. These include allegations of child sexual abuse and exploitation involving people of public prominence associated with Westminster. This investigation will consider allegations of cover-up and conspiracy and will review the adequacy of law enforcement responses to these allegations.
“As well as providing support to victims and survivors in sharing their experiences, we will make recommendations that will help prevent the sexual abuse and exploitation of children in the future. We will consider the adequacy and appropriateness of any police investigation as part of this work.”