Counter terrorism - How to fix the inquest when inconvenient dead bodies need explaining away

Whilst everyone is getting excited about the 42 days detention without charge provisions in the Counter Terrorism Bill , it might be worth considering sections 65-67 of the Bill.

Sections 65/66 relates to holding coroners inquests without a jury in England Wales (S65) and Northern Ireland (S.66)(not Scotland) ...

Certificate requiring inquest to be held without a jury
(1) The Secretary of State may certify in relation to an inquest that, in the opinion of the Secretary of State, the inquest will involve the consideration of material that should not be made public—
(a) in the interests of national security,
(b) in the interests of the relationship between the United Kingdom
and another country, or
(c) otherwise in the public interest.
(2) A certificate may be issued—
(a) in relation to an inquest that has not begun, or
(b) in relation to an inquest that has begun, at any time before its
conclusion.

Note that this can be done even after an inquest has commenced.

Section 67 allows for the appointment of "specially appointed coroners" this again can be done after the inquest has begun. This certificate can be revoked (but only by the Secrtary of State - for "misbehaviour" etc) and they simply slot another one in to ensure they get the result they want - not much evidence about Judicial Review, Parliamentary oversight here. (Note intercept evidence may be introduced under such circumstances for the first time - but only in a coroners court)

This casual destruction of the use and utility of the oldest office under the Crown and also putting into place is evidently designed to conceal from the public gaze future inquests like the one when Dr Kelly was murdered - say perhaps Mr De Menezes , Colin Todd ?

It is also worth noting that Section 70 - "Amendment of definition of “terrorism” etc"

(1) In the provisions listed below (which define “terrorism”, or make similar provision, and require that the use or threat of action is made for the purpose of advancing a political, religious or ideological cause), after “religious” insert “, racial”. ... covering all the bases and giving effect to Lord Carlile’s 12th recommendation in his January2007 report on the definition of terrorism.