All articles tagged with #inquiry
An inquiry into Lucy Letby’s infant deaths blames hospital management while new evidence is reviewed; defense argues trial conclusions may be tainted and the Criminal Cases Review Commission could reopen the case, as a panel reviewing trial materials found no clear crime and suggested deaths resulted from natural causes or substandard care amid staffing issues.
An official inquiry into a 2021 New Zealand case—where a man vanished with his children and hid them in a forest—blasts police and child-welfare officials for a slow, flawed response, noting that authorities underestimated welfare concerns despite broad media coverage of the disappearance. The children were found with their father after 18 days in the forest; during the escape he committed armed robberies and was killed in a police shootout. The report also cites prior disappearances, reveals Oranga Tamaraki staff told a family court the children were “completely fine,” and says concerns raised by the mother and police were not adequately disclosed.
Baroness Anne Longfield will chair a national Statutory Independent Inquiry into Grooming Gangs, naming Oldham, Bradford, Keighley and London as the initial focus sites; the hearings will compel accountability from government departments, the police, the CPS, councils and the NHS for safeguarding decisions and progress on about 800 recommendations, centering survivors’ experiences.
A public inquiry heard that in 2011 the director of UK Special Forces decided not to refer SAS war crimes allegations to the Royal Military Police, citing morale and operational tempo, and instead ordered an internal review that found no criminal wrongdoing, despite whistleblower and Afghan reports of extrajudicial killings during Afghanistan operations 2010–2013.
British police have broadened their inquiry into the former Prince Andrew, issuing a renewed appeal for information from the public.
A Phase One Southport Inquiry concludes catastrophic failures by the killer’s parents and several agencies, including police, mental health services, and social care, allowed Axel Rudakubana to remain free on the day of the 2024 Taylor Swift–themed dance class attack in which three girls were killed. The report describes a “merry-go-round” of referrals, poor information sharing, and a culture of passing responsibility between bodies, with autism being used as an excuse rather than a risk factor. It contains 67 recommendations for a more joined-up system and launches Phase Two to examine risk identification, weapon controls, and the online environment, with officials apologising and pledging action.
A former high-ranking officer has testified that two heads of UK Special Forces suppressed evidence of possible SAS war crimes in Afghanistan, including unlawful killings and suspicious deaths, and failed to report these to the military police, raising concerns about accountability and cover-ups within the military leadership.
The final report of the Post Office IT scandal inquiry will highlight the human impact and focus on compensation for victims, with a subsequent report expected in 2026 addressing accountability and blame, as the scandal's long-lasting justice process continues.
An independent inquiry has criticized Israeli leaders for their handling of events on October 7, highlighting failures in security and leadership.
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has issued a formal apology to survivors of abuse in state and church care, acknowledging the government's responsibility for the "horrific" treatment of approximately 200,000 individuals over seven decades. This apology follows a Royal Commission of Inquiry report revealing widespread abuse, including sexual and physical violence, particularly targeting Maori and Pacific Islander communities. The inquiry recommended 138 actions, including public apologies and legislative changes to improve accountability and care systems.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has promised to launch an inquiry after Russia published tapped military discussions, which has raised concerns about a security breach. The leaked conversations included discussions about Ukraine and were reportedly intercepted by Russian forces. Scholz has condemned the publication as a "serious incident" and pledged to investigate the breach.
An official inquiry revealed that the off-duty police officer who abducted and murdered Sarah Everard in London should never have been employed, with three police forces failing to spot clear signals of his unsuitability. The report detailed Wayne Couzens' history of viewing extreme and violent pornography and alleged sexual offending dating back nearly two decades before the murder. The inquiry's chair warned of the need for a radical overhaul of policing practices and culture to prevent another similar case. The findings identified multiple failings in Couzens' recruitment and vetting, as well as missed warning signs throughout his career. Everard's family believes she died because Couzens was a police officer, and the report urged every police force in the country to take action.
An official inquiry revealed that the off-duty police officer who abducted and murdered Sarah Everard in London should never have been employed, with three police forces failing to spot clear signals of his unsuitability. The report detailed Wayne Couzens' history of viewing extreme and violent pornography and alleged sexual offending dating back nearly two decades before the murder. The inquiry's chair warned that without a radical overhaul of policing practices and culture, there's nothing to stop another similar case. The Metropolitan Police came under further criticism for their handling of a vigil and the report called for urgent review of indecent exposure charges against serving officers. The family of Sarah Everard believes she died because Couzens was a police officer and the report identified at least five incidents of sexual abuse that weren't reported to police, with potential for more victims.
An inquiry into birth trauma led by MPs Theo Clarke and Rosie Duffield has received over 1,300 submissions, aiming to address the estimated 30,000 women in the UK who suffer negative experiences during childbirth, with one in 20 developing post-traumatic stress disorder. The initiative, triggered by Conservative MP Theo Clarke, has garnered an "overwhelming" response, including accounts dating back to the 1960s. The inquiry, administered by the Birth Trauma Association, aims to improve maternity services and is expected to report its findings in April.
The UK government seeks urgent talks with Fujitsu regarding compensation for sub-postmasters affected by the Post Office Horizon scandal, as an inquiry continues into the faulty software that led to wrongful convictions. Fujitsu's moral obligation to provide compensation has been emphasized, and the government aims to act once all facts are established. The scandal saw hundreds of sub-postmasters wrongly convicted over a 15-year period, and the ongoing inquiry has heard from Fujitsu staff expressing concerns about manipulated audit data used in criminal investigations. The Metropolitan Police has launched a criminal probe, with the investigation expected to continue until at least 2026.