Amy Winehouse inquest to be reheard as coroner not qualified

 
p31 Amy Winehouse the British singer poses for photographs after being interviewed by the Associated Press at a studio in north London, Friday Feb. 16, 2007. Winehouse is not your average suburban London girl. First off, there's the diminutive singer's larger-than-life look _ black beehive of hair, mascara-drenched eyes, old-school sailor tattoos. It's part Dusty Springfield, part Morticia Addams. Then, there's the 23-year-old's extraordinary voice, like Billie Holiday channeling the Shangri-Las. (AP Photo/Matt Dunham) ... 16-02-2007 ... Photo by: MATT DUNHAM/AP/PA Photos.URN:4409189 ** TO GO WITH JILL LAWLESS STORY BRITAIN-AMY-WINEHOUSE ** . AMY WINEHOUSE DIED 23/7/2011

The inquest into the death of singer Amy Winehouse is to be reheard after an inquiry found that the coroner in charge of the hearing was not qualified for the role.

The move follows the resignation last week of Inner North London coroner Dr Andrew Reid who quit ahead of an investigation into his decision to appoint his wife as one of his deputies.

Suzanne Greenaway, who recorded a verdict of misadventure at the original inquest into Winehouse's death, stepped down in November when it emerged she did not have the correct qualifications for the role.

Now Camden Council said a new hearing will be heard at St Pancras Coroner's Court on Tuesday January 8.

However, a spokesman for the singer’s family said they had not requested the hearing be held again.

He said: “The family were happy with the way the original inquest was conducted and did not request it to be reheard. This seems to be a matter of procedure and the verdict is not expected to change."

The Back to Black star was found dead at her north London home last year, aged 27.

The first inquest heard she died from alcohol poisoning after a drinking binge following a period of abstinence.

The Grammy award-winner was more than five times over the legal drink-drive limit when she was found dead at her home in Camden Square last summer.

She had 416mg of alcohol per decilitre in her blood, enough to make her comatose and depress her respiratory system. Police recovered three vodka bottles – two large and one small – from her room.

Ms Greenaway was appointed to the publicly paid role of deputy assistant coroner in July 2009 by her husband, Andrew Reid, after she had worked as a solicitor and barrister in Australia.

She stepped down in November when it emerged she did not have the required five years' experience in the Law Society.

Dr Reid resigned from his position this month after the Office for Judicial Complaints (OJC) launched disciplinary proceedings against him.

Investigators found he had not "thoroughly" checked his wife had the proper qualifications for the position.

The Lord Chancellor and the Lord Chief Justice had indicated their intention to remove Dr Reid from judicial office following the investigation.

But despite being entitled to challenge their decision, the senior coroner decided to stand down.

During her time as deputy assistant coroner, Ms Greenaway conducted 30 inquests in Camden, Hackney, Tower Hamlets and Islington.

It is understood that none of the other inquests will be re-held.

According to British law, Ms Greenaway, who also worked as a nurse in Australia, would have needed either five years with the Law Society or five years of experience as a qualified medical practitioner. She met neither set criteria.

After the first inquest Winehouse's parents, Mitch and Janis, said it was a "source of great pain" that she had lost her battle with alcohol.

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