A BEREAVED mother has backed the Bradford coroner’s push to get inquests moved out of the city’s magistrates’ court building.

Martin Fleming believes it is inappropriate that grieving relatives have to use the building's main entrance, be frisked and have their bags checked by security staff on their way to attend inquest hearings on the first floor.

The coroner also said the waiting room for people attending inquests was “frankly a disgrace” and is lobbying for improved facilities which “do justice for those who grieve”.

Keighley town councillor Andrea Walker, whose daughter Ellie died aged three from streptococcal septicaemia blood poisoning in 2013, has echoed Mr Fleming's concerns, saying the arrangement is "appalling".

Ellie died after being put to bed with a suspected cold on January 13, 2013, after she was bathed. Mrs Walker found her daughter blue and cold in bed with a rash on her chest, so tried CPR.

The inquest, at Bradford, heard Ellie was born four weeks prematurely and spent time in a Special Care Unit but developed normally.

Mrs Walker said it was terrible that she had to be frisked and have her bag checked at Ellie’s inquest, which recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.

She said the layout of the coroner’s court at Bradford & Keighley Magistrates’ Court did not help her emotional state on the day of Ellie’s inquest.

“When I went through to the coroner’s court, I had to be frisked and had to have my bag searched. I was very distraught over it.

“I totally agree with what the coroner says about this.

“For a grieving parent, or family, to go through that and go through the same entrance as a criminal at the court, is appalling," said Cllr Walker.

“That made me even more stressed for when I got to the inquest. My emotions were running high.

“There should be a separate entrance for anyone attending the coroner’s court.

“It is a very emotional time going to an inquest, when you are reliving what happened to a loved one.”

The cost of any move would have to be covered by Bradford, Calderdale and Kirklees councils, which make up the West Yorkshire (Western Division) and fund the jurisdiction’s service.

The local authorities are legally obliged to provide accommodation and facilities to enable a coroner to do their job.

A Bradford Council spokesman said earlier this week that it was supportive of relocation, “recognising that the Coroner’s requirements have changed”. He added that the authority would work alongside Mr Fleming and Kirklees and Calderdale councils.

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