THE first minister Jack McConnell has ruled out an inquiry into sex abuse at Catholic children’s homes, prompting accusations from victims that he is “running scared” of the church, writes Jason Allardyce.

McConnell will not follow the lead of Westminster and the Irish government, which have ordered investigations into allegations of sexual and physical abuse dating as far back as the 1930s.

Victims of abuse by Catholic nuns — who have waited two years for the decision — had argued that an inquiry would help to put their ordeals behind them. They had also called on McConnell to apologise on the state’s behalf for not protecting them as children.

The first minister has been accused of pandering to the Catholic church by voicing support for single-faith schools, banning morning-after pills in schools and curbing Orange order marches.

Despite claims that the latest decision is a further climbdown in the face of church opposition, the Scottish executive claims that an inquiry would reopen old wounds and could unfairly damage the reputation of existing children’s homes.

Catholic orders are facing about 500 claims for compensation from Scottish child abuse victims.

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