“It is my view that David Masters, the Wiltshire Coroner, is doing an outstanding job under difficult circumstances with regard to the Lyneham inquest,” said North Wiltshire MP James Gray, speaking after Defence Questions in the House of Commons on Monday 28th April.

“However I was concerned at suggestions that Defence Ministers might be trying to bring influence to bear on coroners to avoid excessive criticism of the Ministry. That is why I raised the matter in Defence Questions today and despite the junior Minister’s assurance, I remain suspicious.”

Read on to see the text of Mr Gray's intervention.

Mr. James Gray (North Wiltshire) (Con): I am sure the Minister will join me in paying particular tribute to David Masters, the Wiltshire coroner, who is doing an outstanding job wrestling with the complexities of the inquest into the deaths of the 10 people killed when a Hercules came down in Iraq. Can the Minister confirm that in no circumstances will he or anybody else in the Ministry of Defence attempt to interfere with the investigations or with the outcome of any such inquests, even if those inquests were to be critical of Ministers or of the MOD?

Mr. Ainsworth: Not only would we not attempt to interfere with such an inquest, but we welcome the input that we get from the independent coronial system. It throws up issues and findings of immense importance, which we must examine and know about, so of course I can give the hon. Gentleman the commitment that no attempt will be—or has been—made to interfere with coroners’ decisions.

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