The future of the independent inquiry into child sex abuse was thrown into doubt last night after Dame Lowell Goddard became the third chairman to resign.

Abuse victims said the inquiry had "descended into farce" and said they felt "betrayed" by her shock resignation. The inquiry,which they had complained was already beset by delays, is now in danger of collapse.

The 67-year-old, who is a high court judge in New Zealand, had faced criticism over the scale of her pay and benefits and also the amount of time she has spent abroad since taking on the role in April last year.