UK

Legion saddened as MPs vote to scrap Chief Coroner role

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The latest round in the fight to save the post of Chief Coroner top oversee military inquests has been lost after Government plans to scrap it were approved in the Commons last night.

It has left the Royal British Legion, which has campaigned to save the role, “saddened” and “mystified” but determined to fight on when the Bill behind the plans is considered in the House of Lords.

The Chief Coroner post, which has never been filled, was introduced by Labour to improve the handling of military inquests and provide leadership for coroners.

An RBL spokesman said: "We are confident peers will again highlight the numerous flaws in the Government's proposals.

"Bereaved Armed Forces families, the public and the Legion are all certain that the only way to ensure fundamental reform of the coroners system - which is desperately needed - is through the appointment of an independent chief coroner."

Tory MP Andrew Percy spearheaded the effort to save the office from the Government's bonfire of the quangos, telling MPs the post would provide "independent leadership" to "drive long overdue reform".

Labour supported Mr Percy's amendment but it was still defeated by 287 votes to 235, after Justice Minister Jonathan Djanogly told MPs the plans would be too costly.

He said it would cost £10.9 million to set up the office of chief coroner and then a further £6.6 million to run it every year.

Most of the powers which would be handed to a chief coroner would now be passed to the Lord Chief Justice or Lord Chancellor, he said, adding that under the Government's plans there would be "real and significant" changes to the coronial system.

The Government was also creating a new ministerial board to meet four times a year to oversee coroners and provide updates to parliament. Its independent chairman would become a "powerful advocate for the bereaved and a champion of coronial reform", the minister told MPs.

The chief coroner's post was established by the last Labour administration with the aim of ensuring that inquests into troops' deaths are carried out promptly and effectively, but the coalition Government announced it would scrap the role without anyone having been appointed.