The Home Secretary has appointed Professor Alexis Jay as the new chair of the Government’s beleaguered child sexual abuse inquiry.

Amber Rudd said she was ‘delighted’ Professor Jay has agreed to chair the inquiry into abuse in England and Wales, which was first announced in 2014.

Professor Jay led the independent inquiry into child sexual exploitation in Rotherham, which found at least 1,400 children were exploited in the town between 1997 and 2013.

She becomes the fourth chairman of the current inquiry panel, following last week’s resignation of the previous chair, Dame Lowell Goddard.

Professor Jay is also a former chief social worker to the Scottish Government and has spent more than 30 years working with local authorities.

‘I am committed to ensuring this inquiry does everything it has set out to do and does so with pace, with confidence and with clarity,’ said Professor Jay.

‘Be in no doubt - the inquiry is open for business and people are busier than ever working hard to increase momentum. The panel and I are determined to make progress on all parts of the inquiry’s work, including speaking to victims and survivors.’

The home secretary commented: ‘She has a strong track in uncovering the truth and I have no doubt she will run this independent inquiry with vigour, compassion and courage.

‘Let there be no doubt,’ added Ms Rudd. ‘Our commitment to this inquiry is undiminished.’