Newcastle City Council claim they acted properly in publishing Independent Inquiry Report…The Council is pleased that Mr Justice Eady has upheld the Council’s defence of qualified privilege, which means he has confirmed that the Council acted properly in publishing the Independent Review Team’s report. We suspect, however, that many of the parents and families who have been affected by this long-running matter will struggle to understand this judgment and will be upset by the outcome of this very unusual case. As the Council’s defence was successful in this action, it will not be appropriate for us to appeal against this judgment. The Council is glad that the judge has confirmed that the Council acted properly in publishing the Report and that he has not made any findings of malice against any Council personnel. We are concerned and disappointed, however, that he is of the opinion that all four members of the Independent Review Team acted with malice, as we believed that these very experienced and conscientious individuals took great care with their enquiry, and acted properly throughout the preparation of their report. We also know that many of the families supported the Council’s decision to set up the review and cooperated with the Independent Review Team. The Review Team members will be shocked and distressed by this finding and, we understand, are considering an appeal. We believe that if there were to be any incidents of suspected abuse in the future, any inquiry which has to be established would not be beset with the difficulties experienced by this one. We are confident, in the light of this long-running matter, that the Council has addressed all the issues raised about its procedures at the time of the original complaints, and that management and professional practice have changed substantially since 1993 when these complaints were made…
Newcastle City Council Press Release
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