​Historic child abuse inquiry years in the making - but Catholic charities seek legal challenge to chair appointment

Campaigners are worried an inquiry into historic child abuse will be derailed after two Catholic charities lodged legal objections.

Poor Sisters of Nazareth and the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent De Paul are seeking a judicial review opposing the appointment of Susan O'Brien QC (pictured) who is due to take up the post in the next few days.

Campaigners have battled for more than 14 years to have an inquiry held and now fear the legal challenge is an attempt to derail the investigation.

Scottish ministers announced they would hold an inquiry in December last year and would consult survivors and others on its remit and the appointment of a chair.

A similar historic child abuse inquiry in England suffered repeated delays when ministers were unable to elect a chair with all sides agreement.

David Whelan, a child abuse camapigner, who himself was subjected to years of abuse by convicted paedophile John Porteous while living in a children's home run by Quarriers in the 1970s, feared victims could lose out.

"This clearly demonstrates the imbalance of power here," he said. "If the roles were reversed there is no way the victims and survivors would have the money to mount a judicial review. We would clearly like the appointment of Susan O'Brian to go ahead but we will await the court's decision.

"We have always called for the rights of everybody to be upheld, including those accused of abuse.”

He added: "It is disappointing that they feel it is necessary to launch a judicial review," Mr Whelan said of the charities.

"These organisations seem to have an issue with all of this coming out into the public domain."

O’Brien has been in practice as a QC since 1998, and was a solicitor for six years before she was called to the Bar in 1987.

She has represented abuse victims and took a test case on time bar in historic claims to the House of Lords in 2008.

She is due to take up the post on 1 July.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: "Ms O'Brien's appointment has been received positively by many people, including survivors. She is an experienced advocate whose considerable knowledge and expertise was an important consideration in making this appointment.

"We are confident that her appointment is sound in terms of the Inquiries Act and that she will lead a fair, thorough and honest inquiry."

Both charities have been contacted for comment.