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Hearings

Future and past hearings for in the Cranston Inquiry.

Witness timetable

The Inquiry will commence its hearings on 3 March 2025 with opening statements. From 3 March to 27 March 2025, the Inquiry is hearing oral evidence from witnesses.

All hearing dates are indicative and may be subject to change.

Timetables are subject to last minute changes.

Hearings are open to the public, registration is strongly encouraged. 

Opening Hearing

6 March 2024

Sir Ross Cranston, Chair of the Inquiry, delivered an opening statement at the Opening Hearing, outlining progress to date and detailing his intentions for the Inquiry.

Preliminary Hearing

24 October 2024

The Cranston Inquiry into the 2021 Channel crossing tragedy held a Preliminary Hearing in London on 24 October 2024, providing an update on progress and outlining plans for the next stage of its work.

Week 1 Opening Statements and Oral Evidence

Date
Witness
Opening Statements from Counsel to the Inquiry and Full Participants
Neal Gibson (Search and Rescue Mission Co-ordinator, HM Coastguard)
Christopher Norton (Accountable Manager, 2Excel Aviation Ltd), Graham Hamilton (Director of UK Search and Rescue, Bristow Helicopters Ltd) and Christopher Trubshaw (Search and Rescue Helicopter Captain, Bristow Helicopters Ltd)

Week 2 Oral Evidence

Date
Witness
Kevin Toy (Commander HMC Valiant, Border Force)
Karen Whitehouse (Border Force Higher Officer, Border Force Maritime Command Centre) and Dominic Golden (Aviation Tactical Commander, Aeronautical Rescue Coordination Centre, HM Coastguard)
Mike Bill (Divisional Commander, HM Coastguard), Christopher Barnett (Maritime Tactical Commander, HM Coastguard), David Jones (Maritime Tactical Commander, HM Coastguard) and James Crane (Team Leader, HM Coastguard).
Thomas Willows (Immigration Officer, Border Force Maritime Command Centre), Stuart Downs (Maritime Operations Officer, HM Coastguard) and Richard Cockerill (Team Leader, HM Coastguard)

Week 3 Oral Evidence

Date
Witness
George Papadopoulos (Staff Officer Small Boat Crossings Search and Rescue, HM Coastguard) and Professor Michael Tipton MBE (Expert Witness)
Simon Ling (Head of Lifeboats, Royal National Lifeboats Institution)
Witnesses not currently scheduled
Stephen Whitton OBE (Head of Border Force Maritime Command, Home Office) and Daniel O’Mahoney (Director, Clandestine Channel Threat Command, Home Office)

Week 4 – Oral Evidence, Family Impact Statements and Closing Statements

Date
Witness
Matthew Leat (Head of Infrastructure, HM Coastguard)
James Driver (Head of Maritime Security Division, Department for Transport)
Family Impact Statements and Closing Statements

All hearings

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