Abuse inquiry head Fiona Woolf defends Lord Brittan links

The new head of the public inquiry into historic sex abuse has insisted she has no personal connections which would affect her independence in the role.

Lawyer Fiona Woolf disclosed she had dined with former home secretary Lord Brittan and his family five times.

Lord Brittan was home secretary in 1984 when ministers were handed a dossier on alleged high-profile paedophiles.

Chairman of the Commons Home Affairs Committee Keith Vaz questioned Ms Woolf about a draft letter written to Home Secretary Theresa May.