A group of Islington Labour councillors have written to the Senior Coroner for Inner North London, Mary Hassell, to urge her to reform the Inner North London Coroner’s Services, which cover Islington.

The twelve councillors, who are from Jewish and Muslim backgrounds, wrote to the Senior Coroner on the day of her public consultation meeting held at Camden Town Hall on 5th July. The Senior Coroner has been forced to revisit her approach following a High Court decision rejecting her inflexible ‘cab rank’ policy on 27th April.

The Senior Coroner’s previous approach meant that cases were processed on a strictly ‘first come first served’ basis. This has had a particular impact on Islington’s Jewish and Muslim communities, in which there are a number of practices surrounding death relating to the speed of burial and watching over the deceased. Coroner Hassell has previously been criticised and even taken to court for repeatedly going against families’ wishes, meaning that these important practices could not be observed by grieving families.

The councillors’ letter makes four specific requests of the Senior Coroner. These are to allow a flexible approach to prioritisation of burials; consider the use of technologies that prevent the need for invasive post-mortem techniques; take up the previously-rejected offer of further funding to set up an out-of-hours service; and work with Jewish and Muslim communities so that cases can be dealt with swiftly and sensitively.

Cllr Jenny Kay, Islington Labour councillor for Mildmay, said:

“Islington residents of all faiths have raised serious concerns about the Senior Coroner’s conduct over the last few years. In the Jewish and Muslim faiths, the speed of burial and ability to watch over the deceased are important practices. Coroner Hassell’s inflexible ‘cab rank’ approach and her failure to engage with the community is both discriminatory and unlawful.

 

“We welcome the meeting but remain concerned that the approach she’s taking is incompatible with needs of our diverse community. We urge her to urgently reconsider the need for a written protocol and institute a common sense policy, including an out-of-hours service. Without those changes it will be impossible to restore confidence in the Coroner’s Services.”

 

Below is a copy of the letter:

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