Mother-and-baby homes: 'One of the great scandals of our time'

A panel has called for a public inquiry to be held into institutions for unmarried mothers in Northern Ireland.

The three experts also advised that there should be immediate redress payments to survivors.

The devolved government committed to an investigation after research into mother-and-baby homes and Magdalene Laundries was published.

Women said they were detained against their will, used as unpaid labour and had to give up babies for adoption.

Professor Phil Scraton, one of the three members of the panel, described it as "one of the great scandals of our time".

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