Fresh inquest ordered into death of 13-month-old girl

HIGH Court judges have ordered a fresh inquest into the death of a 13month-old girl in a ruling described as a victory against “secret” hearings

The first inquest into the death of Poppi Worthington took seven minutes to declare her death “unexplained”.

The infant died in circumstances that have still not been made public after the coroner in Cumbria heard evidence in private.

Senior judges have now ordered that the inquest should be reheard, in a ruling that upheld the long-standing principle that the circumstances of sudden deaths should always be open to public scrutiny.

A Cumbria Police investigation into Poppi’s death at the end of 2012 led to the arrest of her father Paul, 47, from Barrow-in-Furness, and a 31-year-old woman. In March this year they were told they would not face criminal ac- tion. Ian Smith, coroner for the south and east Cumbria, said he was “satisfied” that he could rely on the findings of a private family court hearing, which were not disclosed at the inquest.

However, Lord Justice Burnett and Mr Justice Holroyde said the inquest was “irregular” and must be quashed and a new inquiry held.

Lord Justice Burnett said: “In my judgment this is a clear case in which a fresh inquest should be held. Evidence was taken in private in circumstances which are not permitted”.

The application for a new inquest was brought by lawyers representing several newspaper groups who argued that the original hearing was insufficient and therefore unlawful.

The court heard there will be a delay before the new inquiry can be held because Mr Worthington has been granted a review of the medical evidence, expected to take place in November.