FOI Request to the Ministry of Justice re communication relating to Section 17A of the Coroners Act 1988

This post records a Freedom of Information request sent earlier today to the Ministry of Justice.

This is a Freedom of Information request.

On 4th August 2003 a letter was sent on behalf of Lord Falconer, as Lord Chancellor, informing the Oxfordshire Coroner that Section 17A of the Coroners Act 1988 was in effect with respect to the death of Dr. David Kelly.

1. Did Lord Falconer inform Lord Hutton that Section 17A of the Coroners Act 1988 had been invoked with respect to the death of Dr. David Kelly?

2. If the answer to question 1. is in the affirmative, on what date did Lord Falconer write to Lord Hutton or otherwise inform him that Section 17A applied?

3. I ask for a copy of the letter(s) referred to in Question 2.

4. Did Lord Falconer communicate to Lord Hutton the implications in Law of the invoking of Section 17A of the Coroners Act 1988?

Thank you

(Dr) Andrew Watt