Latest news with #InquiriesAct
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Why does Scotland hold public inquiries amidst escalating costs
It has come as it emerged the Scottish Government has admitted there is no legal requirement to monitor whether lessons learnt recommendations from inquiries are actually acted on. The current cost of all live inquiries has soared thirteen-fold over ten years to stand at nearly £180m and it is estimated the overall costs has reached nearly £250m since 2007. What are public inquiries? Public inquiries in Scotland are formal investigations established to examine events or issues of significant public concern. They are often convened in response to events that have caused significant public concern, such as disasters, systemic failures, or allegations of misconduct. The inquiries are typically independent and aim to establish facts, determine accountability, and recommend changes to prevent recurrence. Why are they held? They aim to uncover the truth, ensure accountability, and recommend improvements to prevent future occurrences. They aim to establish what happened during a particular event or series of events and to determine who was responsible for the events in question. They seek to learn lessons from an event, identify what went wrong and recommend measures to prevent similar occurrences in the future. They aim to restore public confidence, and show that issues are being taken seriously and addressed appropriately. Do they have any legal standing? They are primarily governed by the Inquiries Act 2005 which sets out procedures for their establishment and conduct including the appointment of a chairman, the powers to compel evidence, and the publication of findings. Additionally, the Inquiries (Scotland) Rules 2007 provides specific procedural rules for inquiries held in Scotland. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- READ MORE by Martin Williams ScotGov says it has 'no legal obligation' to ensure 20 years of inquiry lessons are learnt Ministers warned over public inquiries secrecy as taxpayer cost soars by £60m in a year Swinney urged to act over 'stalled' lifeline funding of ferry fiasco firm Revealed: £400k public cost of ScotGov Euro 2028 ticket tout ban that 'won't work' 'People going bananas': New ferry fiasco hits vital island supplies 'Stretched to breaking': Nation loses 800 officers since formation of Police Scotland --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- They can be either statutory or non-statutory, with statutory inquiries having legal powers to compel evidence and witness testimony under the Inquiries Act. What are the most notable public inquiries in Scotland? The Scottish Child Abuse inquiry which was established in 2015 to investigate the abuse of children in care faced criticism for delays and costs which have exceeded £90m. The Scottish Child Abuse InquiryThe second most expensive live public probe is the Scottish Covid-19 inquiry which started in August, 2022 to examine Scotland's response to and the impact of the pandemic and to learn lessons for the future. Its costs in December last year were at £34m. The Penrose inquiry which ran between 2008 and 2015 examined the transmission of hepatitis C and HIV through NHS blood products. The inquiry faced criticism for its limited scope and lack of accountability. The Edinburgh Tram Inquiry which was started in 2014 to investigate delays and cost overruns in the capital trams project also faced scrutiny for its prolonged duration and expenses. And the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry was established in 2019 to examine issues related to the construction of two major hospitals, focusing on patient safety and building standards. How are public inquiries conducted? They appoint a chairman and set terms of reference where the scope of the probe is defined. The inquiry collects written and oral evidence from witnesses, experts, and relevant parties. Public hearings may be held to examine evidence and question witnesses, often open to the public and media. A final report is usually published, detailing findings, conclusions, and recommendations. Throughout the process, inquiries aim to be transparent and impartial, ensuring public trust in their findings. What are the challenges that public inquiries face? Their costs can be expensive, with some, like the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, costing over £90 million. And they can take several years to complete, leading to criticism over delays in justice and implementation of recommendations. There has also been concern that recommendations from inquiries are not always acted upon promptly or effectively, limiting their impact. How effective are public inquiries? It varies. While they can reveal critical information and lead to significant reforms, their success is reliant on the implementation of recommendations, the willingness of authorities to enact change and the ability to get to all crucial evidence. There is concern about about the standing of non-statutory inquiries through the ability to access evidence and to compel key witnesses to co-operate. Unlike statutory inquiries, participation with non-statutory inquiries such as the Edinburgh Tram Inquiry is voluntary which can hinder the inquiry's ability to gather comprehensive evidence. Edinburgh Tram InquiryInquiries that are seen as thorough and impartial tend to restore confidence, while those seen as delayed or inconclusive may exacerbate public dissatisfaction. How does the Scottish Government view public inquiries? They see public inquiries as essential instruments for investigating events of significant public concern, establishing facts, and ensuring accountability. They are designed to operate independently, providing transparent and thorough examinations of issues to learn lessons and implement necessary changes. In establishing the Scottish Covid inquiry, the government emphasised its dedication to openness and accountability. The inquiry was tasked with scrutinizing the strategic handling of the pandemic, aiming to provide an independent assessment of decisions and actions taken. And the government said that reflected its belief in the effectiveness of public inquiries to address complex issues and restore public confidence. It has previously told the Herald: "Public inquiries provide important opportunities to establish facts and to learn lessons for the future in the most transparent means possible. "Statutory public inquiries are established in accordance with the Inquiries Act 2005 and operate independently of government."
The Guardian
20-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Lehrmann inquiry head Walter Sofronoff to challenge finding he engaged in ‘serious corrupt conduct'
The former Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff will challenge findings that he engaged in 'serious corrupt conduct' by leaking his inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann to two journalists before it was made public. The Australian Capital Territory Integrity Commission's report, released on Wednesday, found that Sofronoff's conduct fell within 'several elements of the definition of 'corrupt conduct'', through his disclosures to two journalists: Janet Albrechtsen at the Australian and Elizabeth Byrne at the ABC. Sofronoff had been appointed by the ACT government to determine whether the investigation into the aborted Lehrmann trial in 2023 had been affected by political influence or interference. Sign up for Guardian Australia's breaking news email His report ruled out political influence or interference, praised police conduct and found that the ACT director of public prosecutions, Shane Drumgold, had 'at times … lost objectivity and did not act with fairness and detachment' during the trial. Lawyers for Sofronoff said on Wednesday evening that he had filed an application with the federal court to challenge the lawfulness of the Integrity Commission's report. Sign up to Breaking News Australia Get the most important news as it breaks after newsletter promotion The report found that Sofronoff's decision to share confidential documents with journalists before the report's public release was 'contrary to the obligations of confidentiality prescribed by the Inquiries Act' and 'could have amounted to offences against the Inquiries Act'. 'The disclosures were dishonestly concealed from persons involved in the inquiry, in particular Drumgold and the chief minister, which prevented them taking protective legal action.' The report said Sofronoff had claimed his conduct 'complied with the requirements of the Inquiries Act' and that he believed he had 'acted in the public interest to ensure the media were adequately informed about the issues being investigated by his inquiry and in a position to comment accurately about them'. Nevertheless, it concluded that Sofronoff had not acted in good faith and that his actions 'undermined the integrity of the board's processes and the fairness and probity of its proceedings to such an extent as to have been likely to have threatened public confidence in the integrity of that aspect of public administration. It therefore constituted serious corrupt conduct.' More details to come
The Guardian
19-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Afternoon Update: Lehrmann inquiry head's ‘corrupt conduct'; chilling footage of Sydney school murderer; and stranded astronauts return home
Good afternoon, everyone. The ACT Integrity Commission has found Walter Sofronoff engaged in 'serious corrupt conduct' after reviewing his inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann for the alleged rape of Brittany Higgins. The investigation probed whether Sofronoff acted corruptly by leaking his final report on the Lehrmann trial to select journalists – Janet Albrechtsen at The Australian and the ABC's Elizabeth Byrne – before its official release. The commission's report found Sofronoff's sharing of confidential documents with journalists was 'contrary to the obligations of confidentiality prescribed by the Inquiries Act' and 'could have amounted to offences against the Inquiries Act'. 'The disclosures were dishonestly concealed from persons involved in the inquiry, in particular [prosecutor Shane] Drumgold and the [ACT] chief minister, which prevented them taking protective legal action,' the report said. Chilling footage shows ex-boyfriend waiting outside bathroom with hammer before murdering Lilie James Sydney nurse charged over alleged threats to Israeli patients to argue video can't be used in evidence GPs say they need more prescribing powers for ADHD medicines US judge blocks Trump's ban on trans people serving in the military Trump releases thousands of pages on JFK assassination Bestselling Australian Bad Guys author Aaron Blabey signs eight-figure deal for seven new books Meet Rum'un, the new mascot of Tasmania's long-awaited AFL team, who growls like Nosferatu, poos out footballs and is made from recycled school kit. 'What a ride. I see a capsule full of grins, ear to ear.' Nicholas Hague, onboard the SpaceX Dragon capsule that rescued two Nasa astronauts, Suni Williams (pictured) and Butch Wilmore, who were stuck on the International Space Station, described the moment they arrived back on Earth. Sign up to Afternoon Update Our Australian afternoon update breaks down the key stories of the day, telling you what's happening and why it matters after newsletter promotion The Canadian prime minister, Mark Carney, characterised the radar deal as part of a broader effort to assert Canadian sovereignty over the Arctic as US priorities shift. Australia is a leader in 'over-the-horizon' radar, an advanced system that allows for continuous threat-tracking over a vast area. From 'funky and rich' to the texture of 'wet paper', this supermarket taste test of salamis ranged from solid sandwich fillers to pretty enough for a platter. Nicholas Jordan reveals which meats made the cut … Today's starter word is: POLL. You have five goes to get the longest word including the starter word. Play Wordiply. If you would like to receive this Afternoon Update to your email inbox every weekday, sign up here, or start your day with a curated breakdown of the key stories you need to know with our Morning Mail newsletter. You can follow the latest in US politics by signing up for This Week in Trumpland.
The Guardian
19-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Lehrmann inquiry head Walter Sofronoff engaged in ‘serious corrupt conduct' , review finds
Former Queensland judge Walter Sofronoff engaged in 'serious corrupt conduct', the ACT Integrity Commission has found, after reviewing his inquiry into the prosecution of Bruce Lehrmann. The commission released a report on Wednesday into Sofronoff's conduct as a Board of Inquiry into the prosecution. It found that 'Sofronoff's conduct fell within several elements of the definition of 'corrupt conduct'', through his disclosures to two journalists: Janet Albrechtsen at The Australian newspaper and Elizabeth Byrne at the ABC. The report found that '[Sofronoff's] disclosure of confidential material to journalists contrary to the obligations of confidentiality prescribed by the Inquiries Act could have amounted to offences against the Inquiries Act'. 'The disclosures were dishonestly concealed from persons involved in the Inquiry, in particular [prosecutor Shane] Drumgold and the [ACT] chief minister, which prevented them taking protective legal action.' The report said Sofronoff 'claimed that his conduct complied with the requirements of the Inquiries Act, and that he had acted in the public interest to ensure the media were adequately informed about the issues being investigated by his Inquiry and in a position to comment accurately about them. 'However, the commission concludes that he had not, in fact, acted in good faith and that his conduct, amounting to corrupt conduct within the meaning of the IC Act, undermined the integrity of the Board's processes and the fairness and probity of its proceedings to such an extent as to have been likely to have threatened public confidence in the integrity of that aspect of public administration. It therefore constituted serious corrupt conduct.' More details to follow
Telegraph
17-03-2025
- Telegraph
Lucy Letby hospital managers ‘to call for end to baby deaths inquiry'
Former managers at Lucy Letby's hospital are expected to call for the public inquiry into her crimes to be halted, arguing that there is a real chance that her convictions will be overturned. The Thirlwall Inquiry is investigating how Letby's actions might have been prevented if bosses at the Countess of Chester Hospital and outside agencies had acted faster. The former neonatal nurse is serving 15 full life terms for the murders of seven infants and the attempted murders of seven others. However the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC) is now investigating whether there has been a potential miscarriage of justice. Lady Justice Thirlwall, who is chairing the Thirlwall Inquiry, asked barristers representing parties to address her on Monday during closing submissions about whether the inquiry should be paused. The legal team representing former managers at the Countess of Chester is expected to submit that continuing the inquiry without considering the alternative hypotheses being looked at by the CCRC would be a breach of the duty to act fairly under the Inquiries Act. It comes as protestors gathered outside Liverpool Town Hall, where the hearing is taking place, to protest against Letby's convictions. Barristers representing the families are expected to argue that the managers are trying to absolve themselves of blame.
