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Amy Winehouse inquest put in doubt by coroner's qualifications Amy Winehouse inquest put in doubt by coroner's qualifications
(about 3 hours later)
A judicial investigation has been launched into the appointment of the coroner who chaired Amy Winehouse's inquest, raising fears that the circumstances of her death may need to be re-examined. A judicial investigation has been launched into the appointment of the coroner who chaired Amy Winehouse's inquest, raising fears that the circumstances of the singer's death might need to be examined again.
The lord chief justice, Lord Judge, has referred concerns about the qualifications of Suzanne Greenaway – who conducted the hearing last October into the death of the 27-year–old singer - to the Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC). The lord chief justice, Lord Judge, has referred concerns about the qualifications of Suzanne Greenaway – who conducted the hearing last October into the death of the 27-year–old performer – to the Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC).
Recording a verdict of misadventure last October, Greenaway said that Winehouse died from alcohol poisoning after a drinking binge following a period of abstinence. Recording a verdict of misadventure last October, Greenaway said that Winehouse had died from alcohol poisoning after a drinking binge following abstinence.
But Greenaway – who has now resigned – did not have sufficient legal experience in the United Kingdom when she was appointed by her husband, Dr Andrew Reid, who is the St Pancras coroner in north London. But Greenaway, who has now resigned, did not have sufficient legal experience in the UK when she was appointed by her husband, Andrew Reid, who is the St Pancras coroner in north London.
Reid is writing to about 30 families whose relatives were the subject of inquests carried out by his wife, offering, if they wish, to rehear their cases. Despite qualifying as a solicitor and barrister in Australia in 1999, she had not met the statutory requirement of at least five years legal experience in Britain. Reid is writing to about 30 families whose relatives were the subject of inquests carried out by his wife, offering, if they wish, to re-hear their cases. Despite qualifying as a solicitor and barrister in Australia in 1999, Greenaway had not met the statutory requirement of at least five years' legal experience in Britain.
In a statement, the OJC confirmed that it "has been made aware of the concerns in relation to the appointment of Ms Suzanne Greenaway as assistant deputy coroner by the inner north London coroner and has commenced a conduct investigation". In a statement, the OJC confirmed that it had been made aware of the concerns in relation to the appointment of [Greenaway] as assistant deputy coroner by the inner north London coroner and has commenced a conduct investigation".
The matter was referred to the OJC in December last year by the lord chief justice. The investigation is formally into Reid's role in the appointment because the OJC does not currently regulate deputy and assistant coroners. The matter was referred to the OJC in December last year by the lord chief justice. The investigation is formally into Reid's role in the appointment because the OJC does not regulate deputy and assistant coroners.
Reid said: "I appointed my wife as an assistant deputy coroner as I believed at the time that her experience as a solicitor and barrister in Australia satisfied the requirements of the post.Reid said: "I appointed my wife as an assistant deputy coroner as I believed at the time that her experience as a solicitor and barrister in Australia satisfied the requirements of the post.
"In November of last year it became apparent that I had made an error in the appointment process and I accepted her resignation."In November of last year it became apparent that I had made an error in the appointment process and I accepted her resignation.
"While I am confident that all of the inquests handled were done so correctly, I apologise if this matter causes distress to the families and friends of the deceased."While I am confident that all of the inquests handled were done so correctly, I apologise if this matter causes distress to the families and friends of the deceased.
"I will be writing to the families affected to personally apologise and offer for their cases to reheard if requested." "I will be writing to the families affected to personally apologise and offer for their cases to be reheard if requested."
Camden Council, which supervises the local coroners court, said: "During her time as deputy assistant coroner, Ms Greenaway conducted 12 inquests in Camden, but mainly worked from Poplar coroner's court. Camden council, which supervises the local coroners court, said: "During her time as deputy assistant coroner, Ms Greenaway conducted 12 inquests in Camden, but mainly worked from Poplar coroner's court.
"It has been brought to our attention that Ms Suzanne Greenaway has tendered her resignation and this has been accepted by the coroner.""It has been brought to our attention that Ms Suzanne Greenaway has tendered her resignation and this has been accepted by the coroner."
Deborah Coles of Inquest, the charity that monitors coroners courts, said: "This situation highlights the antiquated nature of the coroners system and the urgent need for implementation of the Coroners and Justices Act 2009 to ensure that there's an accountable and transparent recruitment process." Deborah Coles, of Inquest, the charity that monitors coroners courts, said: "This situation highlights the antiquated nature of the coroners system and the urgent need for implementation of the Coroners and Justices Act 2009 to ensure there's an accountable, and transparent recruitment process."
Under the reforms due to be introduced, all coroners' appointments will have to be approved by the lord chief justice and chief coroner – an official who has yet to be selected.Under the reforms due to be introduced, all coroners' appointments will have to be approved by the lord chief justice and chief coroner – an official who has yet to be selected.
Inquest verdicts can normally only be overturned by a challenge in the high court. The Winehouse family said that it was taking advice on the implications of the latest developments and would decide whether it would make any requests. Her father, Mitch, at one point tweeted: "Don't worry about coroner nonsense. We are all ok." Inquest verdicts can normally only be overturned by a challenge in the high court.
The Winehouse family said they were taking advice on the implications of the latest developments and would decide whether it would make any requests. Her father, Mitch, at one point tweeted: "Don't worry about coroner nonsense. We are all ok."
During the inquest into Winehouse's death, it emerged that the Grammy award-winner was more than five times over the legal drink-drive limit when she was found at her home in Camden, north London, in July 2011. She had 416mg of alcohol per decilitre in her blood, enough to make her comatose and depress her respiratory system. Police recovered three vodka bottles – two large and one small – from her room.During the inquest into Winehouse's death, it emerged that the Grammy award-winner was more than five times over the legal drink-drive limit when she was found at her home in Camden, north London, in July 2011. She had 416mg of alcohol per decilitre in her blood, enough to make her comatose and depress her respiratory system. Police recovered three vodka bottles – two large and one small – from her room.