John Halley was appointed junior counsel to the investigation into the safety of children in Scottish care homes in 2015
By Lucy Ashton
An advocate who was part of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry has been charged in connection with sexual offences.
John Halley, 59, was arrested on February 15 and is due to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court at a later date.
The advocate was appointed as a lead junior counsel to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry in 2015.
In 2016, he stepped back from the role following a cancer diagnosis.
The inquiry was set up to investigate the abuse of children in care homes across Scotland.
It is looking into whether the organisations responsible for children in care failed in their duties and will report their findings to Scottish ministers.
It will then publish its recommendations on how to improve the law around children in care in Scotland “as soon as reasonably practicable”.
The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said “investigations into this matter are ongoing”.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “A 59-year-old man has been arrested and charged in connection with sexual offences. He is due to appear at Livingston Sheriff Court on a later date.”
A spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service added: “A report has been received and is under consideration by the procurator fiscal.”
Lady Smith, who chairs the Scottish Child Abuse Tribunal.