Concern over coroner reform

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The government's plans for the coroner's service have been questioned by a charity that raises awareness of young sudden cardiac death.

Today justice secretary Ken Clarke revealed the detail of his plan for coroner reform "without proceeding with the office of the chief coroner".

The government proposes to transfer the chief coroner's functions to the lord chancellor and lord chief justice.

A new ministerial board will oversee the non-judicial aspects of the service provided in England and Wales.

Alison Cox MBE, founder and chief executive of Cardiac Risk in the Young (CRY), said:

"I have grave concerns that this is a slow-creep takeover by government who would certainly relish having more influence at some inquests at which they might be particularly vulnerable to criticism."

In a written ministerial statement, Clarke set out more detail about the board.

"Since the parliamentary debate on abolition of the chief coroner during Lords committee stage of the Public Bodies Bill on 14 December 2010, colleagues and I have had positive discussions with MPs, peers and civil society groups about how best to ensure oversight of the non-judicial services provided by coroners in the absence of a chief coroner.

"This is necessary because it is not possible to transfer these non-statutory functions formally through the Public Bodies Bill.

"These discussions have resulted in a proposal for a ministerial board which would be focussed on matters of policy, the standards of service and other administrative aspects of the delivery of the coroner service which are non-judicial in nature.

"The board would be responsible for advising the lord chancellor on his statutory duties and on the setting of priorities for action with regards to policy on coroners at a national level, where these do not impact on judicial independence or judicial matters.

"It would be advised and supported by a bereaved organisations committee, which would be independently chaired, and represented on the ministerial board."

Cox said the concept of a ministerial board is "interesting" but questioned who will be responsible for making appointments to it.

"Those coroners elected to this board will need to vigorously challenge many contentious issues," she said.

"The ones that should be elected are not those that the government are likely to welcome, so that the supportive transparent and fully accountable service we need can be achieved."