UK Public Inquiries

Desmond Fennell QC

Est. Feb 1988 · Final report Nov 1988

Investigation into the King's Cross Underground fire of 18 November 1987 which killed 31 people. Found the fire was caused by a lighted match igniting accumulated grease beneath a wooden …

Cleveland Child Abuse Inquiry

Dame Elizabeth Butler-Sloss

Est. Jul 1987 · Final report Jul 1988

Inquiry into the handling of suspected child abuse cases in Cleveland in 1987 where 121 children were removed from their families based on controversial diagnoses by two paediatricians.

Herald of Free Enterprise Inquiry

Mr Justice Sheen

Est. Apr 1987 · Final report Jul 1987

Formal investigation into the capsizing of the Herald of Free Enterprise ro-ro ferry off Zeebrugge on 6 March 1987 which killed 193 people.

Mr Justice Popplewell

Est. May 1985 · Final report Jan 1986

Inquiry into crowd safety and control at sports grounds following the Bradford City stadium fire of 11 May 1985 which killed 56 people.

Falkland Islands Review Committee

Lord Franks

Est. Jul 1982 · Final report Jan 1983

Committee of Privy Counsellors reviewing the discharge of government responsibilities in the period leading up to the Argentine invasion of the Falkland Islands on 2 April 1982.

Lord Scarman

Est. Apr 1981 · Final report Nov 1981

Inquiry into the Brixton disorders of 10-12 April 1981 examining the causes of the riots and the relationship between the Metropolitan Police and the local community.

Mr Justice Parker

Est. Jun 1977 · Final report Jan 1978

Public inquiry into the application by British Nuclear Fuels Limited to build a thermal oxide reprocessing plant (THORP) at Windscale in Cumbria.

Normansfield Hospital Inquiry

Michael Sherrard QC

Est. May 1976 · Closed Nov 1978

Inquiry into patient care and staff conditions at Normansfield Hospital, Teddington, a long-stay hospital for mentally handicapped patients. Established following a nursing strike demanding suspension of consultant psychiatrist Dr Terence …

Flixborough Disaster Inquiry

Roger Parker QC

Est. Sep 1974 · Final report Apr 1975

Court of inquiry into the explosion at the Nypro chemical plant near Flixborough on 1 June 1974 which killed 28 workers and seriously injured 36.

Lord Justice Scarman

Est. Jun 1974 · Final report Feb 1975

Inquiry into the disorders in Red Lion Square on 15 June 1974 arising from opposing demonstrations, in which student Kevin Gately died.

Summerland Fire Commission

Mr Justice Cantley

Est. Sep 1973 · Final report May 1974

Commission of inquiry into the fire at the Summerland leisure complex in Douglas, Isle of Man, on 2 August 1973 which killed 50 people and injured 80.

South Ockendon Hospital Inquiry

J. Hampden Inskip

Est. Jan 1973 · Closed May 1974

Committee of inquiry into ill-treatment and neglect of patients at South Ockendon Hospital, Essex, a long-stay hospital for mentally handicapped patients. Prompted by anonymous disclosure of ward reports recording injuries …

Lord Widgery

Est. Feb 1972 · Final report Apr 1972

Tribunal investigating the events of Bloody Sunday on 30 January 1972 when British soldiers shot 26 unarmed civilians during a protest march in Derry, killing 14.

Whittingham Hospital Inquiry

Sir Robert Payne

Est. Jan 1971 · Closed Feb 1972

Committee of inquiry into allegations of ill-treatment of patients, fraud and maladministration at Whittingham psychiatric hospital near Preston, Lancashire. Found systematic patient mistreatment and recommended the dismissal of a consultant …

Farleigh Hospital Inquiry

Est. Jan 1970 · Closed Jun 1971

Committee of inquiry into allegations of ill-treatment and neglect of patients at Farleigh Hospital, Long Ashton, Somerset, a long-stay hospital for mentally handicapped patients. One of a series of post-Ely …

Hugh Griffiths QC

Est. May 1968 · Final report Nov 1968

Inquiry into the partial collapse of Ronan Point tower block in Canning Town on 16 May 1968 following a gas explosion which killed four people.

Geoffrey Howe QC

Est. Jul 1967 · Final report Mar 1969

Committee of inquiry into allegations of ill-treatment of patients and other irregularities at Ely Hospital, Cardiff, a long-stay psychiatric hospital.

Aberfan Disaster Tribunal

Lord Justice Edmund-Davies

Est. Oct 1966 · Final report Aug 1967

Tribunal into the Aberfan disaster of 21 October 1966 in which a colliery spoil tip collapsed onto Pantglas Junior School and houses, killing 144 people including 116 children.