Authority of Amy Winehouse coroner probed

AMY Winehouse’s family says it is seeking legal advice after the coroner who oversaw the late singer’s inquest resigned because she did not have the required qualifications for the job.

In October, Suzanne Greenaway ruled that the soul singer had died from accidental alcohol poisoning.

Greenaway had been appointed an assistant deputy coroner in London by her husband, Coroner Andrew Reid. But she resigned in November after authorities learned she had not been a registered U.K. lawyer for five years as required. She had practiced law for a decade in her native Australia.

In a statement, the Winehouse family said it was “taking advice on the implications of this and will decide if any further discussion with the authorities is needed.”

Ms Greenaway took on the role of assistant deputy coroner in July 2009 but stepped down in November when it emerged she did not have the requisite five years’ experience in the Law Society.

In October, she had recorded a verdict of misadventure after the Rehab star, 27, died of alcohol poisoning in her Camden flat in north London.

Dr Reid said he appointed his wife - who worked as a solicitor and barrister in Australia - in the belief that her previous experience “satisfied the requirements of the post”.

“In November of last year it became apparent that I had made an error in the appointment process and I accepted her resignation,” he added.

“While I am confident that all of the inquests handled were done so correctly, I apologise if this matter causes distress to the families and friends of the deceased.

“I will be writing to the families affected to personally apologise and offer for their cases to reheard if requested.”

A spokesman for the Office for Judicial Complaints said it had “been made aware of the concerns” and had launched a conduct investigation.

Camden Council said Dr Reid had made an “error in good faith” and that his wife stopped working with “immediate effect” when it emerged her qualifications did not meet the required standards.

Ms Greenaway - who has been a member of the Law Society for two-and-a-half years - practised in Australia from 1999.

During her time as deputy assistant coroner, she conducted 12 inquests in Camden, but worked largely from Poplar coroner’s court.

Winehouse’s inquest could be declared invalid if her family challenge the verdict in the High Court.

Her father Mitch today reassured followers on Twitter, writing: “Don’t worry about coroner nonsense. We are all ok. Mitch”.

According to British law, Ms Greenaway - who also worked as a nurse in Australia - would have needed either five years with the Law Society or five years of experience as a qualified medical practitioner. She met neither set criteria.