The Ombudsman's final decision
Summary: We will not investigate this complaint about how an officer working for the Coroner’s Office spoke to the complainant. This is because we cannot add to the investigation already carried out by the Coroner’s Office. We cannot investigate other matters because they relate to the decision made by the Coroner which falls outside of our jurisdiction.
The complaint
The complainant, who I will call Miss X, complains about the actions of an officer working for the Coroners Office. She says the officer made unprofessional comments to her during a conversation. Miss X also complains that inaccurate information from an unsuitable source was considered to the Coroner, which impacted their decision not to hold an inquest.
The Ombudsman’s role and powers
The Ombudsman investigates complaints about ‘maladministration’ and ‘service failure’, which we call ‘fault’. We must also consider whether any fault has had an adverse impact on the person making the complaint, which we call ‘injustice’. We provide a free service, but must use public money carefully. We do not start or may decide not to continue with an investigation if we decide we could not add to any previous investigation by the organisation. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(6)) We cannot investigate a complaint where the body complained about is not responsible for the issue being raised. (Local Government Act 1974, section 24A(1), as amended)
How I considered this complaint
I considered information provided by the complainant and the Coroner’s Office.
I considered the Ombudsman’s Assessment Code.
My assessment
I will not investigate Miss X’s complaint about the conduct of an officer at the Coroner’s Office. In response to her complaint the Coroner’s Office listened to recorded calls between Miss X and the officer and found no evidence of the claims that she made. I am satisfied that the Coroner’s Office has taken adequate and proportionate steps to investigate Miss X’s complaint about this matter and therefore do not consider that further investigation by the Ombudsman would add to the investigation already carried out by the Coroner’s Office.
I cannot investigate Miss X’s complaint about inaccurate information being considered by the coroner. This is because we have no jurisdiction to investigate the coroners or their decisions. This is because they are not employees of the Council, but rather judicial office holders.
Final decision
We will not investigate Miss X’s complaint because we could not add to the investigation carried out by the Coroner’s Office and we cannot investigate the actions of Coroners.
Investigator's decision on behalf of the Ombudsman