Sir, Your leading article and report, “Uproar at plan to hold inquests in secret” (Aug 12), give a rather one-sided view of the proposal on coroners’ inquests in the Counter-Terrorism Bill.

Both the Opposition and the Coroners’ Society have accepted that there is currently no way of admitting, and adequately protecting, highly sensitive material in the very small number of inquests where it plays an essential role in establishing how an individual died.

This means that such inquests cannot proceed and bereaved families are left without the closure that they are entitled to and need. The proposals in the Bill will enable the coroner to consider all relevant material and to reach a verdict on the cause of death.

This is not about a “cover up” but about making sure that the circumstances that led to a death can be fully and properly investigated while protecting sensitive material.

Coroners will remain independent judicial officers and their appointment to these cases will be agreed by the Lord Chief Justice. Only the part of the inquest involving sensitive material will be held in private (with the appointment of independent counsel to represent the interests of families where appropriate).

The remainder of the proceedings will be open to the public and the bereaved families and their representatives. The proposals in the Bill are a practical answer to a difficult problem.

If the Opposition or others have an alternative way of dealing with this issue we will of course consider it carefully.

Tony McNulty, MP
Minister of State for Security, Counter Terrorism, Crime and Policing

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