Press Release Monday 24 February 2025
Sir Ross Cranston, independent Chair of the Cranston Inquiry, will open Full Hearings in London on Monday 3 March at 10:00am into the 24 November 2021 Channel crossing tragedy.
Counsel to the Inquiry, Rory Phillips KC, will give an opening statement during the morning session. This will be followed in the afternoon by opening statements from Counsel for the families and a survivor represented by Duncan Lewis solicitors, for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, for the Home Office, and for the Department for Transport.
The timetable of witness appearances will be published on the Inquiry’s website on a weekly basis on the preceding Monday. The witness timetable for the first week has been published today.
The independent Inquiry is investigating the events of 24 November 2021, when at least 27 people lost their lives crossing the Channel. It is looking into who the deceased were, and when, where and in what circumstances they came by their deaths. It will also explore what further lessons can be learned and consider recommendations for the future.
Members of the public wishing to attend the hearings should register on the Inquiry website.
WHAT Full Hearings of Cranston Inquiry
WHEN From Monday 3 March to Thursday 27 March 2025
Hearings will take place Monday to Thursday 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-16:30
WHERE International Dispute Resolution Centre, Juxon House, 100 St Paul’s Churchyard, London EC4M 8BU
Information for attendees:
- The hearings are being filmed by Opus 2 static cameras. A livestream with a three-minute delay will be available on the Inquiry’s YouTube channel. No other broadcast or stills cameras will be allowed in the hearings room.
- Please be aware that this is a hearing into a very sensitive issue – media are requested not to film or approach anyone without permission and not to film people arriving at or leaving the venue.
- Sir Ross Cranston and Inquiry counsel will not give media interviews during or after the hearing.