Abuse survivor meeting

Deputy First Minister John Swinney today (Thursday) met survivors of abuse to discuss the public inquiry into historic abuse and wider support issues.

The meeting, which was set up last month, was attended by a number of survivors and representatives from support and campaigning groups including: In Care Abuse Survivors, Former Boys and Girls Abused and White Flowers Alba.

Following the meeting, Mr Swinney said:

“I am hugely grateful to all of the survivors for the significant time they gave to today’s discussion and their openness during the meeting. I have been keen to consider all the issues that have been raised by survivors in light of recent events in connection to the public inquiry.

“The meeting was originally to be my first opportunity to listen carefully to survivors since becoming Education Secretary as part of the government’s commitment to meet regularly. The inquiry dominated much of the discussion, but I was also able to hear the various opinions on how the expanded support fund is developing and what more we need to consider in the support available to survivors.

“I want to assure survivors that I have heard them today. I recognise how important it is for us to build trust and I am absolutely committed to that. I am utterly committed to an independent inquiry and I have tried to answer all the questions survivors had. I will now take time to consider the issues they have raised, including expanding the remit of the inquiry.

“All the evidence already collected by the inquiry will be utilised and work has begun on filling the panel vacancies while the remaining panel member and the team continue processing applications. The inquiry remains on track, and I will be meeting survivor groups again over the summer.”