Verdict first, inquiries afterwards
What do Sir Martin Moore-Bick and Sir John Mitting have in common? Both are distinguished former judges. Both head public inquiries.
Moore-Bick chairs the one dealing with the Grenfell tower fire; Mitting chairs the one looking at claims that undercover policemen who infiltrated various groups deceived women members into sexual relationships.
The two have something else in common. Both are under heavy attack from victims and complainants who are demanding they be removed from their posts.
Everyone “knows” there should be arrests after Grenfell. Everyone “knows” those undercover officers should be sacked or jailed. It’s verdict first, inquiry afterwards. And woe betide the chairman who gets this the wrong way round.
To read my whole Times column (£) please click here.
