Inquest challenged (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Inquest challenged

THE High Court has ruled the Ministry of Defence can challenge the verdict of a six-month inquest into the death of a serviceman in Wiltshire.

The inquest into the death of Leading Aircraftsman Ronald Maddison, who died at the Porton Down chemical warfare base 50 years ago, was held in Trowbridge last year and recorded a verdict of unlawful killing.

The MoD argued Wiltshire coroner David Masters was wrong to leave a verdict of unlawful killing open to the jury.

The permission to seek a judicial review will not take effect until May 20, or until Mr Maddison's family has had a chance to decide whether or not to oppose the decision.

Mr Maddison was just 20 when he died in 1953 after having drops of the deadly nerve gas Sarin dabbed on to his arm.