Bin lorry crash FAI to begin next month

The fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the Glasgow bin lorry crash is set to begin on 22 July.

The inquiry, led by the Solicitor General Lesley Thomson QC, will examine the tragedy that led to six deaths last December, aim to determine the cause of the crash, and establish what lessons can be learned from the incident.

The inquiry will be heard before Sheriff John Beckett QC and is likely to last at least three weeks.

A bid by lawyers representing three of the victims to delay the start of the inquiry for three months, in order to prepare for the “lengthy, complex and technical” process, failed.

Mark Stewart QC, appearing at a preliminary hearing in Glasgow Sheriff Court, said he had only been appointed on 10 June after legal aid was granted and needed more time to go over the “voluminous papers”.

Mr Stewart is representing Erin McQuade, 18, and her grandparents Jack Sweeney, 68, and Lorraine Sweeney, 69, who were killed in last year’s incident.

Scottish Legal News reported on lawyers’ concerns about access to legal aid last month.

The preliminary hearing also heard that lorry driver Harry Clarke would answer any questions put to him if he was called as a witness in the inquiry.

Mr Clarke has already been assured that he will not be prosecuted over the incident.

The Crown Office issued a statement in February which said there was “no evidence to suggest that the driver’s conduct at the time amounted to a breach of the criminal law”.