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Legal Top Stories
Amy Winehouse coroner resigns, inquest verdict could be overturned
By CMU Editorial | Published on Thursday 2 February 2012
The coroner who oversaw the inquest into Amy Winehouse’s death has resigned after it was revealed that she was not technically qualified to take on the role. The singer’s family are said to be “taking advice” following the announcement yesterday.
Suzanne Greenaway qualified as a lawyer in Australia in 1999 but had not practiced in the UK for the required five years when she became a coroner, Camden Council said in a statement yesterday. According to the council, she was appointed by her husband, Andrew Reid, who is coroner for the St Pancras area of London.
Reid is now writing to 30 families – twelve of which, including Winehouse’s, are based in Camden – to explain that the results of inquests into the deaths of loved ones carried out by Greenaway, while currently remaining legal, could be overturned by the High Court.
In a statement, Reid said: “I appointed my wife as an assistant deputy coroner as I believed at the time that her experience as a solicitor and barrister in Australia satisfied the requirements of the post. In November of last year it became apparent that I had made an error in the appointment process and I accepted her resignation. While I am confident that all of the inquests handled were done so correctly, I apologise if this matter causes distress to the families and friends of the deceased. I will be writing to the families affected to personally apologise and offer for their cases to reheard if requested”.
The matter is being investigated by the Office For Judicial Complaints.
