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Row over secret inquiries into controversial deaths
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent22.10.09
Ministers were criticised today for pushing ahead with plans for secret inquiries instead of inquests into controversial deaths.
The new hearings, which could restrict who attends and what information is made public, may be used in cases like that of Brazilian Jean Charles de Menezes who was shot dead by police on the Tube in July 2005 after being mistaken for a suicide bomber.
Justice Secretary Jack Straw proposed the inquiries to allow highly sensitive information to be heard in some cases. But peers voted by 158 to 128 to allow intercept evidence to be used in inquests. However, Justice Minister Lord Bach said: "We are not persuaded, that such widespread disclosure of intercept material is worth the real risk to national security and the fight against serious and organised crime which would ensue."
Baroness Miller, Lib-Dem spokesman for the Home Office, argued that the use of intercept evidence would help to bring a conclusion to some outstanding inquests, such as that of Azelle Rodney, 24, who was shot dead by police as he sat in a car in Edgware in April 2004.
Mr Straw announced in May that he was dropping plans to hold secret inquests without juries. He said that where it was not possible to proceed with an inquest, the Government would consider establishing an inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 instead.
Lady Miller said this was "an even worse solution" than secret inquests.
Reader views (10)
What became of "Transparency in Government"?
- Colin Macpherson, Gramat France
He was an ILLEGAL immigrant. Get over it.
- Grim Reaper, Hell
Oh dear, another ignorant peddler of myths.
Grim Reaper, Jean Charles de Menezes was in the UK LEGALLY.
Please find the transcript of the inquiry for the 22nd September, it is in the public domain and available online. In Sir Michael Wright's opening statement he deals with the issue of JCdM's immigration status.
To make it easier for you look at page 51, lines 24 and 25 and page 52, lines 1 to 12 and educate yourself.
Then feel free to use these pages to publically apologise.
- Escobar A-Lop-Lop, Camden County
Labour cannot stand criticism of any kind and since election in 1997 they are totally ruthless against any transgressors. They are now so depraved they are acting unconstitionally and undemocratically. God help this country if they are re-ellected in 2010.
- Ralph, London, England
And police will now be patrolling several areas of London carrying machine guns.
Good old liarbour create a problem, or allow a problem to escalate, and then offer a solution.
- P Staker, London
He was an ILLEGAL immigrant. Get over it.
- Grim Reaper, Hell
Inquests are held in secret when there is something to hide.
- Mick, London, England
It’s what to expect from big brother and who knows in the future 2+2 might just equal 5.
- Stephend, London, England
We are well and truly living in a police state. This is all about Coroners being critical of the government's failure to give our troops the right equipment.
This is also against the rules of natural justice and shows labour up for what it is, an undemocratic Stalinistic party. Power and the party is everything and the countyry takes second place.
It tells you a lot about Brown that he has no shame in bringing back a mortgage fraudster back into the government and actually making him his right-hand man!
- James Town, Braintree UK
"Secret inquests"?
In a democracy?
More blatant redacting of information by Jackboot Straw.
- Reuben Camara, Morecambe Compound, EUSSR
It could only happen under labour. Can you really see the tories getting away with it?
- Steve, Brentford
