Royal British Legion

Registered Charity Number: 219279
London

RBL Victorious in Chief Coronor U-turn

Date Posted: 01 Dec 2011
he Royal British Legion has welcomed the coalition's decsion of retaining the post of Chief Corone.
"We're delighted common sense has prevailed," said Legion Director General Chris Simpkins. "This is a victory for The Royal British Legion on behalf of all bereaved Armed Forces families and for the many bereaved organisation groups that have campaigned on this issue.
"All the same, we are disappointed that the Government will not implement appeal provisions to the Chief Coroner and will watch the debate on this issue in the House of Lords this afternoon with interest."
His comments came after meetings with officials at Number 10 Downing Street to explain a surprise announcement made by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke late Tuesday that the Chief Coroner would not be abolished as an austerity measure.
"We have been campaigning hard on this for a year," Mr Simpkins added. "The Government's welcome support for our campaign keeps faith with the fallen and with the spirit of the Armed Forces Covenant."
He continued: "The Government's decision to appoint an independent Chief Coroner means that bereaved military families will have the confidence of knowing an impartial judge will provide essential independent leadership to the inquest system, ensuring that its proceedings are thorough, efficient and fair."
While the proposed office will not have provision for military families to appeal coroner's verdicts through the Chief Coroner, Mr Simpkins acknowledged that the Chief Coroner would be able to comment on appeals procedures in his annual report.
"We're not backing down on the right to appeal," he said. "The Government says that bereaved families need closure. We say that they need closure in the certain knowledge that their loss has been investigated to their satisfaction."
Kirianne Curley, a Legion beneficiary, had earlier lent impetus to the campaign by writing an open letter to the Prime Minister.
The widow of Royal Marine Corporal Stephen Curley of 40 Commando, killed by an IED explosion in Afghanistan in May 2010, she wrote: 
"I am writing to you today to ask you to personally intervene to ensure that a promise you made to Armed Forces personnel and their families - such as my son and I - is kept. I urge you to honour Stephen's memory and the memory of all those like Stephen who have given their lives in defence of this country, and decide to appoint a Chief Coroner."
For further information contact:
Susan Cottam, Public Relations Officer, The Royal British Legion
T: 020 3207 2477 M: 07775 017 889 E: SCottam@britishlegion.org.uk

The Royal British Legion has welcomed the coalition's decision of retaining the post of Chief Coroner.

"We're delighted common sense has prevailed," said Legion Director General Chris Simpkins. "This is a victory for The Royal British Legion on behalf of all bereaved Armed Forces families and for the many bereaved organisation groups that have campaigned on this issue.

"All the same, we are disappointed that the Government will not implement appeal provisions to the Chief Coroner and will watch the debate on this issue in the House of Lords this afternoon with interest."


His comments came after meetings with officials at Number 10 Downing Street to explain a surprise announcement made by Justice Secretary Ken Clarke late Tuesday that the Chief Coroner would not be abolished as an austerity measure.


"We have been campaigning hard on this for a year," Mr Simpkins added. "The Government's welcome support for our campaign keeps faith with the fallen and with the spirit of the Armed Forces Covenant."


He continued: "The Government's decision to appoint an independent Chief Coroner means that bereaved military families will have the confidence of knowing an impartial judge will provide essential independent leadership to the inquest system, ensuring that its proceedings are thorough, efficient and fair."


While the proposed office will not have provision for military families to appeal coroner's verdicts through the Chief Coroner, Mr Simpkins acknowledged that the Chief Coroner would be able to comment on appeals procedures in his annual report.


"We're not backing down on the right to appeal," he said. "The Government says that bereaved families need closure. We say that they need closure in the certain knowledge that their loss has been investigated to their satisfaction."


Kirianne Curley, a Legion beneficiary, had earlier lent impetus to the campaign by writing an open letter to the Prime Minister.


The widow of Royal Marine Corporal Stephen Curley of 40 Commando, killed by an IED explosion in Afghanistan in May 2010, she wrote: "I am writing to you today to ask you to personally intervene to ensure that a promise you made to Armed Forces personnel and their families - such as my son and I - is kept. I urge you to honour Stephen's memory and the memory of all those like Stephen who have given their lives in defence of this country, and decide to appoint a Chief Coroner."


For further information contact: Susan Cottam, Public Relations Officer, The Royal British Legion.