News

• Falconer under threat in Cafcass row
• Guardians body makes case for £5m bail-out with plea over rising costs
• Cafcass board membership to be reviewed
• MPs say Cafcass close to disaster
• Debate on court delays affecting children's care proceedings

The board of the crisis-hit Children and Family Court Advisory and Support Service has been told to resign by the government.

An independent review of the board membership by Sir Clive Booth led to the demand from Lord Chancellor Lord Falconer, and steps have already been taken to appoint a new board and chairperson.

A government spokesperson said: "All Cafcass board members have been asked to resign. We would like to pay tribute to the hard work and dedication of the board to Cafcass during its first years."

An interim chairperson, Angela Killick, had taken over after the resignation of Anthony Hewson in October. His decision followed a daming report from the select committee of the former Lord Chancellor's department (now constitutional affairs), which called for the board to resign