Sunday, August 28, 2011

Doctors unleash legal challenge over inquest Dr David Kelly never had/ Mail Online

From Miles Goslett at the Daily Mail:
Doctors are preparing to challenge the Government’s decision not to hold an inquest into the death of Dr David Kelly...

This month the doctors were given a 33-page legal opinion by Aidan O’Neill QC, a colleague of Cherie Blair at Matrix chambers in London, indicating that Mr Grieve’s decision could be judicially reviewed, paving the way for an inquest. They are now set to proceed, managed by solicitors Withers LLP...

Speaking on behalf of the other three doctors involved in the case, Dr David Halpin said: ‘We need to raise about £50,000 to cover stage one legal fees to take this to the High Court but we believe this must be done. Britain has great potential for good but many people know it is now mired in mendacity. They must help the doctors get light into the dark corner of the Dr Kelly cover-up. Truth must out.’
The lawyers must be formally instructed by August 30 so that proceedings can begin by September 8, the legal deadline by which the judicial review must be under way...

The doctors’ decision is likely to cause significant unease within Whitehall.  No full explanation has been supplied for closing down the inquest into Dr Kelly’s death, which began as a matter of routine immediately after his body was found. It was replaced with a public inquiry chaired by Lord Hutton, who did not hear witness evidence under oath...
Last year it emerged that in 2004 all medical and scientific reports relating to his death – including photographs of his body – were secretly classified for 70 years.
Much of the material affected by this highly unusual gagging order has still not been released and no legal explanation for it has ever been made.
Mr Halpin added: ‘Coroners,  not politicians, should determine how, where and when someone has died. That is our law in our country. There is an element of David and Goliath here...’

1 comment:

Vronsky said...

This play was broadcast on BBC last night. There are some plot holes, but some interesting references. At one point the lead character (an MI5 spook) is told that a coroner has been called to investigate the death of a colleague. 'A real coroner?' he asks.

The issue of British complicity in torture was raised some time ago by ex-amabassador Craig Murray - that's why he's an ex-ambassador. There are some parallels with the plot of the play.