What are core participants entitled to do within the Inquiry?
A core participant, or their recognised legal representative, may, unless Lord Penrose directs otherwise, make an opening and closing statement to the Inquiry. Core participants do not have the right to give oral evidence at the public hearings but may be permitted to do so at the chairman’s discretion. In common with other witnesses, a written statement would be required before oral testimony could be given by a core participant. The chairman may permit a core participant, or their recognised legal representative, to examine any witness giving oral evidence. But there is no right to ‘cross-examine’ witnesses. Rule 9(5) of the Inquiries (Scotland) Rules 2007 sets out conditions about the scope of questions which have to be met before the chairman may give permission for the questions to be asked.
