Page 99 - When Things Go Wrong

A National Oversight Mechanism

6.15 There have been repeated calls for the establishment of a public sector body
dedicated to monitoring the take-up and implementation of inquiry
recommendations and inquest PFD reports.

6.16 Bishop James Jones has proposed the introduction of an Independent
Commissioner for Inquiries. 278 Under this proposal, the Commissioner,
supported by a secretariat, would play a role in the sponsorship of inquiries,
avoiding conflicts of interests where Government Departments are implicated
(see paras 2.8 and 2.12, note 47), and performing advisory functions similar
to those envisaged for the Central Inquiries Unit (see paras 2.20-2.24).
However, it would also “play a part in relation to the monitoring of inquiry
recommendations…[assisting] Parliament and the public in ensuring
recommendations are not simply neglected”. 279

6.17 INQUEST has campaigned over a number of years for the establishment of a
‘National Oversight Mechanism’. 280 In evidence to the Angiolini Review, the
organisation provided the following submission:

INQUEST believes that there is an overwhelming case for the creation of
a national oversight mechanism tasked with the duty to collate, analyse
and monitor learning and implementation arising out of custodial deaths.
Any new framework must be accountable to Parliament to ensure the
advantage of parliamentary oversight and debate. It must also provide a

278 The Rt Rev Bishop James Jones, ‘Concluding Observations: the need for an independent
Commissioner for Inquiries’ [extract from speech provided to the Working Party], September 2018. A
Commissioner would provide “a place to hold and share expertise over establishing and running
inquiries. Indeed it would be well placed to achieve efficiencies in procuring accommodation and IT
and other services which in practice are challenges individual inquiries face afresh every time”.
279 Ibid.
280 See INQUEST website, ‘INQUEST Campaigns’.
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