Secrecy inquest clause in Coroners Bill re-ignites debate

Controversial plans to hold secret inquests on national security grounds have been revived as part of wide sweeping reforms ushered in by the Coroners and Justice Bill. Clause 11 of the Bill, tabled in the Commons by the Ministry of Justice last week, provides powers for the secretary of state to certify an inquest closed from public scrutiny where it concerns national security interests; the relationship between the UK and another country; the prevention and detection of crime; the safety of a witness; or to prevent harm to the public interest. Certified inquests will be heard by a nominated high court judge, and the original decision could be subject to judicial review. The plans had previously been dropped from the Bill. According to legal campaign group Justice, the clause could have stopped a public inquest into Jean Charles de Menezes’ death, or into the deaths of British soldiers as a result of equipment shortages. The Bar Council warns the Bill, as presently drafted,