Legion says extra cash will help bereaved families, but further improvements are required
Published: 8 October 2007
The Government has agreed to provide additional resources for the coroner dealing with a backlog of inquests into military deaths. The Legion has welcomed the move and put forward further recommendations for change.
David Masters, the Wiltshire and Swindon coroner, deals with the inquests of service personnel repatriated through RAF Lyneham. He will now be able to engage an additional deputy coroner, coroner's officer and administrative support.
Last month, the Royal British Legion identified the urgent need to address the distressing backlog of coroner's inquests, and says that this is a step in the right direction.
A spokesperson said: "Both the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Defence should be congratulated on making additional resources available, but this is not before time. Delays in determining a cause of death compounds the grief suffered by the families of lost armed forces personnel.
"We now look forward to further announcements on the support for bereaved families, in particular the introduction of an independent commissioner to investigate complaints made by families following an in-service death. There should also be legal representation for families at inquest, a concession currently given to the families of those who die in custody but not to service families."
The Legion, in consultation with the War Widows' Association, has also identified the need to create a 'centre of excellence' with coroners who have developed a high expertise in military inquests.
This resource could provide service on an outreach basis, allowing inquests to be held closer to where the bereaved live, and should be included in the forthcoming Coroners' Bill.
