Coroner’s Verdict on Ronald Maddison

Robert Key said he was surprised by the Jury’s decision. What was acceptable in 1953 may not be acceptable now. But is it fair to make judgments now on events 51 years ago?

Robert Key said he would await with interest the decision of the Ministry of Defence on how to proceed.

Robert has two major concerns. First, he believes that the Wiltshire Coroner’s Court was quite inappropriate for this trial. He congratulates the Coroner on completing a massive volume of complex work for which the Office of Coroner was never designed. In Robert’s view this case should have been heard by a public enquiry properly equipped and staffed for the job.

Secondly, Robert is in consultation with Wiltshire County Council who funds the Coroners Service about the burden of cost to Wiltshire Council tax payers who will have to meet the bill of some £0.5m for this court hearing which is a matter of national interest. It is quite outside the normal run of events for a Coroners Court. Robert said, “Wiltshire tax payers should bear their fair share of this bill – no more, no less”.