Written Ministerial Statement

The content of this written ministerial statement is as received at the time from the Minister. It has not been subject to the official reporting (Hansard) process.

Department of Health - Conversion of the Independent Neurology Inquiry to a Statutory Public Inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005

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Published at 4.00 pm on Monday 14 December 2020.

Mr Swann (The Minister of Health): In my oral statement to the Assembly on 24 November 2020 I advised Members of my intention to convert the Independent Neurology Inquiry to a statutory Public Inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005 (the Act).

In adherence with Section 6 of the Act, I am now notifying the Assembly that:

• on 11 December 2020 I served notice on the Chair of the Independent Neurology Inquiry that the conversion date will be 11 December 2020;
• the Chair of the Inquiry will remain as Mr Brett Lockhart QC, working together, and in partnership with Professor Hugo Mascie-Taylor as an Inquiry Panel Member; and
• the changes to Terms of Reference are administrative and do not relate to the content of the Inquiry.  A copy of the revised Terms of Reference is attached to this statement for Members’ information.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank Mr Lockhart, Professor Mascie-Taylor and their wider team for the work they have undertaken to date and their commitment to ensure this conversion to a Public Inquiry will be completed as seamlessly as possible.