Freedom of coroners should not be limited

March 18th, 2008 by Defence Team — Press Coverage, Articles

Commenting on reports that Des Browne is seeking to prevent coroners from criticising the Ministry of Defence, Liberal Democrat Shadow Defence Secretary, Nick Harvey said:

“This is a misjudged and ill-conceived attempt to curtail the freedom of coroners to highlight the failings of the MoD.
 
“If there is a technical legal argument then that should be heard but if it is merely to reduce the chance of criticism it is ridiculous.

“The MoD cannot be above scrutiny, particularly when servicemen and women are putting their lives on the line in Iraq and Afghanistan.”

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7 comments ↓

#1 From Nigel Lillywhite

I find it shameful that Coroners should be told what to, or not to, say in their assessments of evidence at inquests.
If MOD, or anyone else, is found wanting, they have to face the consequential criticism.

#2 From Liz Williams

This is an extraordinary attempt by the Government to skew the system in its favour, rather than trusting judges to assess the facts found by the coroner along with all the other evidence provided to the judge in order to decide whether there should be civil liability.

#3 From mike owen

This is a clear attempt to blur the separation of the executive and the judiciary by an executive intervention.this should be opposed as it transgresses a fundamental balancing of the freedoms inherent in our (unwritten) constitution

#4 From Adam Riccoboni

Only this government would have the audacity to challenge the impartial verdict of a coroner, at the expense of the taxpayer, to prevent them receiving bad PR. Perhaps the time and resources Des Browne puts into this case would be better deployed improving the equipment of our serviceman to prevent such a tragedy happening again.

#5 From Val Bannister

Gagging of coroners just another nibble at our so-called freedom. They, and the whole judiciary, must remain independent.

#6 From Steve Pitt

The MoD has failed consistently in its moral obligation to provide a duty of care to those service personnel and their families. From nuclear testing, Gulf War Syndrome, and the lack of equipment in theatres of conflict. Having served nearly sixteen years in the forces my faith in the MoD vanished long ago. This latest attempt to restrict criticism is symptomatic of this illiberal government. ‘It was a bright cold day in April, and the clocks were striking thirteen’.

#7 From Prof Chris Beaumont

With the problems around asking our service staff to undertake tasks that the public has no belief in we are left having to support our forces.Beause of this disparity many of our forces will need indpendant therapeutic interventions that we should fund.

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