HOLYROOD MEETS HUTTON

Lord Peter Fraser was an interested spectator at the Hutton Inquiry last week.

His visit was to study the mechanics of the London investigation to see if there were aspects that could be beneficial to his task, which he will start with a preliminary hearing in Edinburgh on September 12th.

Lord Fraser sat in on two main sessions listening to evidence from Labour MP Andrew MacKinlay, Cabinet Officer John McLeod Scarlett and MOD mandarin Sir David Omand.

Later he met with Lord Hutton and discussed some of the practical issues that impact on an investigation of this stature.

Lord Fraser was interested to see how issues like facilities for the public to attend and how Lord Hutton coped with the demands of the press and media. He later visited the offices provided for Lord Hutton and his back-up team to study facilities for gathering and filing evidence.

A spokesman for the Holyrood Inquiry said: “Lord Fraser is full of admiration for the speed, stature and style of Lord Hutton’s Inquiry but realises there are different remits. Lord Hutton is examining the background to the tragic death of Dr. David Kelly six weeks ago while the Holyrood Inquiry will study events and decisions over a six year period.”

Lord Fraser has been spending the past two months reading through a mountain of paperwork on the early days of project and plans to start taking evidence in October.

It is expected that at the preliminary hearing Lord Fraser will define the guidelines, the format, the timetable, and his expectations and reiterate the remit, goals and scope of his Inquiry.

Lord Fraser will also give an indication of those who have been invited to give evidence and their response.

He will also give guidelines on press and public access to the Inquiry. Lord Fraser has always been of the belief this Inquiry should be as open and transparent as possible and his visit to the Hutton Inquiry has reinforced this view.

The news comes only a week after an announcement of a further delay in the opening of the parliament building. Asked to comment on the delay the spokesman for the Inquiry said: “The Holyrood Inquiry has no control or influence over the date on which the Parliament building is completed and occupied.
“Lord Fraser has been at pains to ensure that the work of his Inquiry will not impact on the cost or cause any further delay on the Holyrood project.”

Lord Fraser’s task has been helped by the appointment of Derek Bearhop as Secretary to the Inquiry.

Commenting on the appointment, Lord Fraser said: “I am delighted to have someone with Derek’s experience on board. He will prove invaluable in locating and helping me sift through years and years of reports and analysing the history of this project.”

The special secure whistleblowers access on the website continues to provide what has been described as ‘quality’ information.

Lord Fraser Inquiry team has now established an address where documents and other submissions can be made.

The Holyrood Inquiry
PO Box 23582
Edinburgh
EH2 2YH

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