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MoD bids to clear inquest backlog MoD bids to clear inquest backlog
(about 9 hours later)
The Ministry of Defence is expanding a special unit which handles inquests of servicemen killed in action, it has been confirmed.The Ministry of Defence is expanding a special unit which handles inquests of servicemen killed in action, it has been confirmed.
It comes after it was revealed the case backlog has grown to almost 100. It comes as it was revealed the current caseload has grown to almost 100.
Of the 370 members of the armed forces to die in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, an inquest is yet to be held into more than a quarter, the MoD confirmed.Of the 370 members of the armed forces to die in Afghanistan and Iraq since 2001, an inquest is yet to be held into more than a quarter, the MoD confirmed.
But it said most were completed within nine to 12 months and some are now ending within seven months.But it said most were completed within nine to 12 months and some are now ending within seven months.
'Highest priority''Highest priority'
The number of inquests waiting to be heard have increased by as much as a third over the past three months.The number of inquests waiting to be heard have increased by as much as a third over the past three months.
This is largely because of the increase in the number of fatalities during the Operation Panther's Claw offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan.This is largely because of the increase in the number of fatalities during the Operation Panther's Claw offensive against the Taliban in Afghanistan.
The Defence Inquests Unit which was set up in 2007 is now being increased in size, said a spokesman.The Defence Inquests Unit which was set up in 2007 is now being increased in size, said a spokesman.
Armed forces minister Bill Rammell told the Times: "The MoD places the highest priority on supporting the families of those who have given their lives for their country - before, during and after inquests.Armed forces minister Bill Rammell told the Times: "The MoD places the highest priority on supporting the families of those who have given their lives for their country - before, during and after inquests.
"Families want as much information as possible about the events that led to the loss of their loved ones. Inquests are therefore thorough and complex investigations.""Families want as much information as possible about the events that led to the loss of their loved ones. Inquests are therefore thorough and complex investigations."
Additional resources were allocated to coroners in Oxfordshire in 2006 after bereaved families complained of delays in completing inquests into servicemen repatriated via RAF Brize Norton.Additional resources were allocated to coroners in Oxfordshire in 2006 after bereaved families complained of delays in completing inquests into servicemen repatriated via RAF Brize Norton.
Since April 2007, bodies of deceased servicemen have been brought home through RAF Lyneham, and inquests are dealt with by the Wiltshire coroner. Since April 2007, bodies of deceased servicemen have been brought home through RAF Lyneham. Although all inquests were at one time dealt with by the Wiltshire coroner, the current practice is for them to be heard by the serviceman's local coroner.