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Diana inquest 'squandering' claim Diana inquest 'squandering' claim
(about 17 hours later)
The former Welsh Secretary Alun Michael has criticised the inquest into the death of Princess Diana. Former Welsh Secretary Alun Michael has criticised the inquest into the death of Diana, Princess of Wales.
The MP said the inquest was "a profligate squandering of scarce resources". The MP, who was also the first leader of the Welsh Assembly Government, said the hearing was "a profligate squandering of scarce resources".
The inquest, which began last October and is expected to hear its last witnesses this week, has so far cost the taxpayer at least £2.4m. The inquest, which began last October and is due to hear its last witnesses this week, has cost at least £2.4m.
Mr Michael said it depends what emerges but the inquest currently looks "a bit like the theatre of the absurd." He said it depended what emerged, but the inquest currently looked "a bit like the theatre of the absurd."
The Cardiff South and Penarth MP said he believed a number of questions have to be asked about the inquest being heard in London's High Court.The Cardiff South and Penarth MP said he believed a number of questions have to be asked about the inquest being heard in London's High Court.
"Was it worth the amount of money that was involved, has it drawn a line under events which are basically history of 10 years ago, was it necessary and was this right use of resources compared to other ways that the money could have been used?""Was it worth the amount of money that was involved, has it drawn a line under events which are basically history of 10 years ago, was it necessary and was this right use of resources compared to other ways that the money could have been used?"
"It does look like profligate squandering of scarce resources to have spent so much money on this inquiry. Alun Michael MP"It does look like profligate squandering of scarce resources to have spent so much money on this inquiry. Alun Michael MP
The MP raised his concerns about the costs of the Diana inquest, which has heard from witnesses including the princess' former butler Paul Burrell, in the context of the coroner's court system as a whole needing reform and investment.The MP raised his concerns about the costs of the Diana inquest, which has heard from witnesses including the princess' former butler Paul Burrell, in the context of the coroner's court system as a whole needing reform and investment.
Plans for a root-and-branch reform of the system were removed from the last Queen's speech at the 11th hour.Plans for a root-and-branch reform of the system were removed from the last Queen's speech at the 11th hour.
Mr Michael, who is a member of the Commons' justice committee, told BBC Wales' The Politics Show: "This is a service that has limited resources. Mr Michael, a member of the Commons justice committee who led the Welsh Assembly Government from 1999-2000, told BBC Wales' The Politics Show: "This is a service that has limited resources.
"We're waiting for a new piece of legislation to come forward to help with the reform of the system."We're waiting for a new piece of legislation to come forward to help with the reform of the system.
"It does look like profligate squandering of scarce resources to have spent so much money on this inquiry.""It does look like profligate squandering of scarce resources to have spent so much money on this inquiry."
Absolute truthAbsolute truth
Michael Howells, the Pembrokeshire coroner said the average cost allowed for each inquest he conducts is "somewhere between £20 and £30". Michael Howells, the Pembrokeshire coroner, said the average cost allowed for each inquest he conducts is "somewhere between £20 and £30".
The coroner added:" I would like to be able to do more on full investigation. I would like to be able to do more on talking to the bereaved and explaining to them what's going on and the reason why I'm doing what I'm doing and the decisions that I'm making. I can't do it under the present system."The coroner added:" I would like to be able to do more on full investigation. I would like to be able to do more on talking to the bereaved and explaining to them what's going on and the reason why I'm doing what I'm doing and the decisions that I'm making. I can't do it under the present system."
Mr Michael said: "In many cases - and I rather suspect the Diana inquest - will turn out to be one of these [where] you're no closer to having absolute truth at the end of an inquiry because its impossible to know what happened in a particular set of circumstances.Mr Michael said: "In many cases - and I rather suspect the Diana inquest - will turn out to be one of these [where] you're no closer to having absolute truth at the end of an inquiry because its impossible to know what happened in a particular set of circumstances.
"Many people seeing the Diana inquest may well be thinking if a 10th of that money was spent locally on matters that effect local families then a great deal of good would be done to people up and down the country.""Many people seeing the Diana inquest may well be thinking if a 10th of that money was spent locally on matters that effect local families then a great deal of good would be done to people up and down the country."