Daughter of woman whose corpse was abused loses High Court inquiry fight

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Mr Bunting raised concerns about inquiry chairman Sir Jonathan Michael’s inability to “compel witnesses” and about “evidence-gathering” taking place in private. “The circumstances of David Fuller’s offending trigger the duty to investigate under Article 3,” Mr Bunting told the judge in a written case outline. “… the physical mutilation of a dead body by an agent of the state will give rise to an Article 3 breach in respect of family members.” The inquiry has no power to compel witnesses or disclosure; there will be no public scrutiny of the evidence Jude Bunting QC He added: “The proposed inquiry falls far short of the standards set by Article 3. “In particular: the inquiry has no power to compel witnesses or disclosure; there will be no public scrutiny of the evidence; the next-of-kin will not be able to play any role in suggesting questions, in considering the evidence, and in shaping the inquiry.” Mr Bunting also said Sir Jonathan’s “conduct of the proceedings to date” gave rise to an “appearance of a lack of practical independence”.