There always seems to be a public inquiry into some scandal going on, but how effective are they and what is achieved?
At present, there are three major inquiries ongoing.
The Infected Blood Inquiry report has just been published and is a damning judgement on the treatment of people who contracted HIV and hepatitis C as a result of receiving contaminated blood products during the 1970s and 80s. Some 30,000 people have been infected, with 2,900 already dead.
Then, there is the ongoing inquiry into the Post Office, looking at the implementation of the failings of the Horizon IT system.
Described as the biggest miscarriage of justice in British history, the IT malfunctions saw innocent postmasters and postmistresses sent to jail. Some even committed suicide.
Another important element of the Post Office inquiry has been the explosive effect of ITV's drama at the start of the year, Mr Bates versus the Post Office.
The drama really brought public pressure on the Government to act, which it has, quashing convictions and awarding compensation.
The response to the drama also helped give greater news value to Sir Wyn Williams's inquiry.
Finally, there is the Grenfell Inquiry, begun in 2017, following the terrible fire that led to the deaths of 72 people.
The first phase of this inquiry was reported in October 2019, with 15 recommendations, 11 of which are said to have been implemented so far.
The government has brought in the Building Safety Act. There have, though, yet to be any prosecutions. The final report on Grenfell is due in September.
On the positive side, public inquiries do get to the truth of what has happened, give the victims a say and bring some accountability.
There can also be policy change.
On the downside, they take a long time, the recommendations are not always implemented in full and prosecutions get delayed.
So, the public inquiry certainly has its pros and cons.
What is for sure is that the many inquiries that have taken place over recent years have exposed a lot of reckless behaviour from public bodies, causing untold suffering to many people.
It must be hoped that public inquiries, together with other arenas of justice, help avoid such injustices recurring in the future.
- Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).
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