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| Glasgow bin lorry driver accused of telling 'pack of lies' over medical history | Glasgow bin lorry driver accused of telling 'pack of lies' over medical history |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The driver in the Glasgow bin lorry crash who blacked out at the wheel has refused to apologise after being accused of telling a “pack of lies” about his medical history. | The driver in the Glasgow bin lorry crash who blacked out at the wheel has refused to apologise after being accused of telling a “pack of lies” about his medical history. |
| A lawyer for one of the six people killed told Harry Clarke, 58, “it’s all your fault” on Friday as legal teams pressed him to tell the truth at an inquiry into the accident on 22 December last year. | A lawyer for one of the six people killed told Harry Clarke, 58, “it’s all your fault” on Friday as legal teams pressed him to tell the truth at an inquiry into the accident on 22 December last year. |
| The council driver faced claims he was to blame for the crash because he failed to advise doctors and his employers about a history of dizzy spells and fainting. | The council driver faced claims he was to blame for the crash because he failed to advise doctors and his employers about a history of dizzy spells and fainting. |
| Related: Glasgow bin lorry crash: driver describes last moments before fatal accident | Related: Glasgow bin lorry crash: driver describes last moments before fatal accident |
| Dorothy Bain QC, representing the family of Jacqueline Morton, who died in the crash, accused him of misleading medics and telling a pack of lies on job application and DVLA forms in order to keep his HGV licence. | Dorothy Bain QC, representing the family of Jacqueline Morton, who died in the crash, accused him of misleading medics and telling a pack of lies on job application and DVLA forms in order to keep his HGV licence. |
| The Crown Office ruled out bringing any charges against Clarke ahead of the fatal accident inquiry but he could face a private prosecution led by the families of the victims. | The Crown Office ruled out bringing any charges against Clarke ahead of the fatal accident inquiry but he could face a private prosecution led by the families of the victims. |
| The threat of court action meant he used his legal right not to answer questions relating to his medical and employment history despite pressure from relatives’ lawyers. | |
| Bain said: “If your daughter was killed and there was a public inquiry trying to find out what might have prevented her death, what would you hope those who might have some information about it would do at that public inquiry? | Bain said: “If your daughter was killed and there was a public inquiry trying to find out what might have prevented her death, what would you hope those who might have some information about it would do at that public inquiry? |
| “Given the sympathy and care you’ve been shown by everyone, do you not have the decency to think of someone other than yourself on this occasion? If you have done something … do you not think you should begin to make amends for that by choosing to answer?” | “Given the sympathy and care you’ve been shown by everyone, do you not have the decency to think of someone other than yourself on this occasion? If you have done something … do you not think you should begin to make amends for that by choosing to answer?” |
| The inquiry has previously heard evidence that Clarke blacked out at the wheel of a stationary bus while employed by First in April 2010. | The inquiry has previously heard evidence that Clarke blacked out at the wheel of a stationary bus while employed by First in April 2010. |
| Bain said it only came to light in February when a consultant checked his medical records. She said he was told at that point not to drive but still “had the audacity” to apply to get his licence back. | |
| The lawyer said: “You should never have been behind the wheel of an HGV and you know that. It’s actually all your fault, do you see that? If you had told the truth in 2010, there is every likelihood the six innocent people who lost their lives would still be here today.” | The lawyer said: “You should never have been behind the wheel of an HGV and you know that. It’s actually all your fault, do you see that? If you had told the truth in 2010, there is every likelihood the six innocent people who lost their lives would still be here today.” |
| Throughout her comments, Clarke said: “I don’t wish to answer that question.” | Throughout her comments, Clarke said: “I don’t wish to answer that question.” |
| Erin McQuade, 18, her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, Stephenie Tait, 29, Morton, 51, and Gillian Ewing, 52, were killed as the lorry driven by Clarke veered out of control during a routine rubbish collection three days before Christmas. | Erin McQuade, 18, her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, Stephenie Tait, 29, Morton, 51, and Gillian Ewing, 52, were killed as the lorry driven by Clarke veered out of control during a routine rubbish collection three days before Christmas. |
| The truck mounted the pavement on Queen Street and travelled towards George Square before crashing into the side of the Millennium Hotel. | The truck mounted the pavement on Queen Street and travelled towards George Square before crashing into the side of the Millennium Hotel. |
| Ronald Conway, acting for Tait’s family, told Clarke: “I’m going to ask that you say sorry to the people that died that day. I want you to say sorry for the lies told in 2010 and that those lies led to the deaths of six people.” | Ronald Conway, acting for Tait’s family, told Clarke: “I’m going to ask that you say sorry to the people that died that day. I want you to say sorry for the lies told in 2010 and that those lies led to the deaths of six people.” |
| Clarke said “no, I can’t say that,” and the lawyer told him “you’ll never get another chance”. Conway pleaded with the witness to give the family a “crumb of comfort” by telling the truth so a similar tragedy could be prevented. | Clarke said “no, I can’t say that,” and the lawyer told him “you’ll never get another chance”. Conway pleaded with the witness to give the family a “crumb of comfort” by telling the truth so a similar tragedy could be prevented. |
| He said: “Every morning when you get up and look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself questions about this matter, you can’t decline to comment to your own heart, can you?” The driver said: “I can only answer what I can answer.” | He said: “Every morning when you get up and look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself questions about this matter, you can’t decline to comment to your own heart, can you?” The driver said: “I can only answer what I can answer.” |
| Mark Stewart QC, for the McQuade and Sweeney families, asked Clarke to take the risk of prosecution “on the chin” and answer questions put to him. | Mark Stewart QC, for the McQuade and Sweeney families, asked Clarke to take the risk of prosecution “on the chin” and answer questions put to him. |
| On Thursday, Clarke gave an account of the day of the accident, describing the moment he blacked out as “like a light switch”. He was later diagnosed with neurocardiogenic syncope, also known as vasovagal syndrome, which affects the heart rate and blood pressure. Clarke said he now has an implant and will return to hospital for more tests in September. | On Thursday, Clarke gave an account of the day of the accident, describing the moment he blacked out as “like a light switch”. He was later diagnosed with neurocardiogenic syncope, also known as vasovagal syndrome, which affects the heart rate and blood pressure. Clarke said he now has an implant and will return to hospital for more tests in September. |
| The inquiry heard that he was not formally interviewed by police after the crash but answered questions put to him by a representative from the Crown Office. The inquiry was adjourned until Tuesday. | The inquiry heard that he was not formally interviewed by police after the crash but answered questions put to him by a representative from the Crown Office. The inquiry was adjourned until Tuesday. |