In June 2010 the new Coalition Government announced its decision to axe the role of Chief Coroner and Medical Officer – which had previously been accepted as an essential part of a new, reformed Coroners Service for the 21st century; along with a National Charter and Code of Practice.
Expert opinion at the time suggested that this would simply leave an unaccountable and unhelpful service, adding to the suffering of bereaved families at one of the most devastating and vulnerable times of their lives.
Alison Cox MBE, former Chief Executive and Founder of CRY said at the time; “Under the current system, coroners are not accountable as there is no Appeals System. There are many wonderful coroners who make enormous efforts to diminish the suffering of the bereaved by every available means, including seeking the necessary expert fast-track pathology for cases of sudden death in fit and healthy young people.
“However, there are still too many that do not understand the urgency or consider the impact on the family if they do not make a full and proper effort to investigate the cause of death. It is almost impossible under the current system to make these coroners accountable even though they catastrophically increase suffering of those under their care at this terrible time.
“At CRY, along with a number of other charities who work with bereaved families, parents and spouses, we know how critically important the role of the Chief Coroner is going to be in empowering the Appeals Process. Without anyone to oversee this ancient, judicial system it will be impossible to enforce national standards, leaving our current, antiquated inquest system unfit for the 21st century.”
On the 14th December 2010 the Government’s proposed revisions to the Coroners and Justice Act (2009) met with vigorous opposition in the House of Lords, who thwarted its final passage through Parliament with a strong majority favouring retention of the Chief Coroner’s role.
25th October 2011 – Despite a robust debate in the House of Commons, Conservative MP Andrew Percy’s amendment to remove the Chief Coroner from the Public Bodies Bill was defeated 235 – 287; i.e. a majority of only 52 votes, with a high number of abstentions. The office of Chief Coroner was reinstated into the Public Bodies Bill and would return to the House of Lords for their consideration.
23rd November 2011 – The prospect of another defeat in the House of Commons forces Secretary of State Ken Clarke to amend the Public Bodies Bill, establishing the role of Chief Coroner.
