Sir, The suggested reforms in the coroners Bill (report, June 12) may indeed relieve bereaved families of the stress and unwanted publicity by banning press and public from coroners’ courts. In doing so however, the Bill would be creating secret courts where the coroners’ conduct and attitude to witnesses would not be under direct observation by “outsiders”. In the great majority of cases coroners no doubt are and will be beyond reproach, but there can be exceptions.
I recall attending, as a young reporter on a local newspaper in the mid-1940s, several inquests where I felt that the ill-tempered and unsympathetic attitude of the coroner towards bereaved relatives and witnesses was a disgrace. This view was shared by a colleague on a national newspaper, who reported his findings in that newspaper. He also commented that such behaviour was unacceptable in a public servant, and that bereaved witnesses were entitled to find courtesy and sympathetic questioning to help them through their ordeal.
The coroner concerned sued the journalist and the newspaper for libel, but the judge found against the plaintiff, upholding the freedom of the press to report and to comment upon bad behaviour when it was clearly in the public interest.
In the 60 years that have elapsed since that judgment, the standards observed by the press and other branches of the media generally may well have declined, but we shall be embarking upon a very slippery slope if we begin to ban the press from any legally constituted court, except in the most unusual circumstances.
Advertisement
DENYS LINGARD
Chalford, Glos
Sir, Why do some lawyers have almost hysterical concern with criticism of the judiciary (report and letters, June 15)? Separation of powers is a fundamental principle but that does not mean the exercise of judicial powers is beyond criticism.
At the highest level there cannot be total separation of powers and interaction between government and the judiciary is a necessary element of making, enforcing and improving laws.
That some elements of the legal profession find any criticism an interference with judicial function is disproportionate and out of touch.
Advertisement
M. W. RIDLEY
Ridley & Co Solicitors
London SW1