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Glasgow bin lorry crash: No DVLA prosecution of driver | Glasgow bin lorry crash: No DVLA prosecution of driver |
(about 1 hour later) | |
The Glasgow bin lorry crash inquiry has heard that the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA) will not seek to prosecute the driver, Harry Clarke. | |
The inquiry, into the deaths of six people, has heard that Mr Clarke lied on health assessments and to the DVLA about a blackout incident in 2010. | |
Scottish prosecutors ruled out action but the DVLA left the possibility open. | |
Dr Wyn Parry, chief medical adviser to the DVLA, has now told the inquiry the agency will not prosecute Mr Clarke. | |
The inquiry has already heard that Mr Clarke, 58, was unconscious during the crash. | |
Alleged lies | |
It has also heard that he lied about a previous blackout in 2010, while employed as a bus driver, in health assessment forms when he applied for a LGV licence from the Swansea-based DVLA. | |
He was also said to have lied about his medical history when applying for a job as a driver with Glasgow City Council. | He was also said to have lied about his medical history when applying for a job as a driver with Glasgow City Council. |
On Wednesday, Dr Parry told the inquiry, at Glasgow Sheriff Court, that a prosecution of Mr Clarke in England and Wales over alleged non-disclosure of health matters related to his LGV licence was "under consideration." | |
During his second day of evidence he said that the DVLA would not pursue charges and would respect the decision of the Crown Office in Scotland not to prosecute. | |
Lawyers for families of the six victims have still to clarify whether they will pursue a private prosecution against Mr Clarke. | |
Earlier, Dr Parry told the inquiry that the DVLA system, relating to the self-declaration and discovery of relevant health issues among drivers, had a "weakness". | |
He said it exposed applicants "to a huge level of temptation". | |
The inquiry has previously heard that applicants for a LGV licence can choose to go to their own GP or to an occupational health doctor appointed by the company they work for. | |
Medical records | |
During this process, an applicant's medical records are not usually available to an occupational health doctor. | |
Dr Parry agreed one solution would be for applicants to be required to give permission for their medical records to be made available to examining doctors. | |
He said another potential solution would be for the occupational health doctor doing the medical to check with the applicant's GP. | |
The witness said that the current system could be looked at again. | |
The FAI has been looking at the circumstances which led to the bin lorry veering out of control on Queen Street on 22 December last year. | |
The vehicle killed six people and injured 15 others before crashing into the Millennium Hotel in George Square. | |
The inquiry continues. |
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