Soldiers’ Inquests

It may seem a trivial matter: after all, an inquest won’t bring back those dea, nor are there any legal issues like inheritances of pensions at stake.

Widows of soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan are calling on the Government to clear the vast backlog of inquests.

Despite promises from ministers to speed up the hearings, more than 100
families still do not know how their loved ones were killed.

Some widows and girlfriends have been waiting almost four years for an inquest.

However, it does speak to the most basic competences of the State: it’s defense and the administration of the justice system. What we’re seeing is that, despite £500 billion and rising of our money, they’re simply not competent. Cut what the State tries to do and perhaps they’ll have the time and attention to do these basics correctly?

5 responses

  1. Kay Tie Avatar
    Kay Tie

    But quiet, competent administration is so passé.

  2. But why is it necessary to hold inquests on soldiers who die in action (as opposed to those who are killed in accidents)? It only provides opportunities for self-important coroners to opine on matters about which they know nothing.

  3. Answered your own question there, David… 😉

  4. gene berman Avatar
    gene berman

    I certainly understand the sentiments expressed preceding and sometimes sympathize.
    But only sometimes.
    Like it or not, the plodding inefficiency of most institutions of authority (as well as the fact that they seem to attract mainly the time-serving and unimaginative, non-risk-taking subspecies of the general population)–is a chief contributor to such general freedom as actually exists.
    Be careful what you wish for; you might get it.

  5. Andrew Duffin Avatar
    Andrew Duffin

    What D Duff said.
    Did we hold inquests on every soldier who died in WWII?
    I doubt it, somehow.
    So when did we start, and why?
    Just asking.

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