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Glasgow bin lorry crash driver due to give evidence to inquiry Glasgow bin lorry crash driver due to give evidence to inquiry
(35 minutes later)
The driver of a bin lorry that crashed in Glasgow, killing six people, is due to give evidence to an inquiry into the tragedy.The driver of a bin lorry that crashed in Glasgow, killing six people, is due to give evidence to an inquiry into the tragedy.
Harry Clarke, 58, will be called to give evidence on Thursday after a motion to adjourn the fatal accident inquiry was withdrawn by the family of one of the victims.Harry Clarke, 58, will be called to give evidence on Thursday after a motion to adjourn the fatal accident inquiry was withdrawn by the family of one of the victims.
However, the inquiry heard on Wednesday that the prospect of a private prosecution remained and Clarke would be entitled not to answer any question that might incriminate him.However, the inquiry heard on Wednesday that the prospect of a private prosecution remained and Clarke would be entitled not to answer any question that might incriminate him.
Relatives of Jacqueline Morton, 51, who died when the council refuse truck veered out of control in the city centre three days before Christmas, said on Monday that they would seek to bring charges against Clarke after prosecutors ruled out doing so.Relatives of Jacqueline Morton, 51, who died when the council refuse truck veered out of control in the city centre three days before Christmas, said on Monday that they would seek to bring charges against Clarke after prosecutors ruled out doing so.
Their legal team requested the inquiry be adjourned in order to seek authority to bring a rare private prosecution against him. Their legal team requested the inquiry be adjourned to seek authority to bring a rare private prosecution against him.
But on Wednesday Dorothy Bain QC, representing Morton’s family, told the inquiry that the motion for an adjournment had been dropped. But on Wednesday Dorothy Bain QC, representing Morton’s family, told the inquiry that the motion had been dropped.
She said the family felt it was in everyone’s best interests to conclude the inquiry without delay, but confirmed that they still intended to continue to pursue a private prosecution against Clarke. She said the family felt it was in everyone’s best interests to conclude the inquiry without delay but confirmed that they still intended to pursue a private prosecution against Clarke.
Bain said the scope of the proposed case had not yet been analysed “to any significant degree”, but she set out possible charges including causing death by dangerous driving, making false declarations to the DVLA and culpable and reckless conduct.Bain said the scope of the proposed case had not yet been analysed “to any significant degree”, but she set out possible charges including causing death by dangerous driving, making false declarations to the DVLA and culpable and reckless conduct.
The solicitor general Lesley Thomson QC, who is leading the inquiry, said: “He [Clarke] is entitled to have a warning in relation to the full scope of the evidence and in my submission he would be entitled to have regard to that warning and not answer anything beyond his name, age and occupation.” The solicitor general, Lesley Thomson QC, who is leading the inquiry, said: “He [Clarke] is entitled to have a warning in relation to the full scope of the evidence and in my submission he would be entitled to have regard to that warning and not answer anything beyond his name, age and occupation.”
But the inquiry, now in its fifth week at Glasgow sheriff court, was told that Clarke could choose to answer any questions that were put to him. Thomson said: “I intend to ask him every single matter whether I get an answer or not and that may take some time.”But the inquiry, now in its fifth week at Glasgow sheriff court, was told that Clarke could choose to answer any questions that were put to him. Thomson said: “I intend to ask him every single matter whether I get an answer or not and that may take some time.”
Clarke was behind the wheel of the truck that lost control on Queen Street on 22 December. Along with Morton, the victims were Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, from Dumbarton, Stephenie Tait, 29, from Glasgow, and 52-year-old Gillian Ewing, from Edinburgh.Clarke was behind the wheel of the truck that lost control on Queen Street on 22 December. Along with Morton, the victims were Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, from Dumbarton, Stephenie Tait, 29, from Glasgow, and 52-year-old Gillian Ewing, from Edinburgh.
The inquiry has heard evidence that Clarke has a history of dizzy spells and fainting which he failed to disclose to the DVLA and on job application forms. He is the only witness yet to give evidence.The inquiry has heard evidence that Clarke has a history of dizzy spells and fainting which he failed to disclose to the DVLA and on job application forms. He is the only witness yet to give evidence.
Clarke’s solicitor Paul Reid said he had not had the opportunity to consult with his client or take his instructions on the latest development and asked the inquiry for time to do so on Thursday morning. The sheriff John Beckett adjourned until 11am.Clarke’s solicitor Paul Reid said he had not had the opportunity to consult with his client or take his instructions on the latest development and asked the inquiry for time to do so on Thursday morning. The sheriff John Beckett adjourned until 11am.