Tweets from the Inquest into the Death of Gareth Williams: 2012

Witness: DCI Jackie Sebire
Witness: DC Colin Hall, who went to MI6 offices after Gareth's body was discovered
Witness: Ros Hammon, forensic scientist from LGC

Session 14. Tuesday Afternoon, May 1, 2012

Witness: SO15 Supt. Michael Broster, who led the search at MI6 HQ
Witness: Witness D, who managed Witness G
Witness: Gareth's GCHQ team leader
Witness: DCI Jackie Sebire

Session 15. Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Coroner Fiona Wilcox

Session 15. Wednesday, May 2, 2012

SESSION 15. Wednesday, May 2, 2012
CORONER: Fiona Wilcox
8:45	@skynewsgatherer	Legal submissions have begun in Gareth Williams inquest
8:46	@skynewsgatherer	Barrister for SIS says that an unlawful killing option is not open to coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox
8:47	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner agrees there is insufficient evidence for unlawful killing verdict and says narrative verdict is most suitable option
8:52	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says she will be making an assessment of reliability and credibility of the evidence
8:56	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says she will try to deliver before lunch. It could take up to 2 hours as it runs to "many pages"
8:56	@stone_skynews	Coroner in Gareth Williams inquest says she cant see any other option for verdict other than narrative or open verdict
8:56	@stone_skynews	The coroner says that an open verdict would not give weight to the considerable evidence heard in the inquest
8:56	@stone_skynews	Coroner says there isnt enough evidence to consider a verdict of unlawful killing. Looks like it will be a narrative verdict
8:56	@stone_skynews	A narrative verdict is an option open to a coroner when other verdict options don't fit case. It's a short factual statement outlining facts
8:56	@stone_skynews	A narrative verdict does leave open the option to include any failures by any party relevant to circumstances of the death
10:18	@skynewsgatherer	Verdict in inquest into death of Gareth Williams will now not be until at least noon
10:21	@stone_skynews	BREAKING NEWS - Spy Death: Unlawful killing verdict ruled out. Video analysis here: news.sky.com
10:57	@skynewsgatherer	Police and family friends taking their seats in coroner's court ahead of narrative verdict into the death of Gareth Williams
11:03	@stone_skynews	For updates on verdict in the Gareth Williams inquest follow my colleague @skynewsgatherer & look back at her fascinating twitter timeline
11:04	@skynewsgatherer	Gareth's family have now arrived in court ahead of verdict
11:08	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox begins summing up the evidence in inquest for death of Gareth Williams
11:08	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says she is unable to include speculation in her narrative verdict or express opinion or criminal liability
11:09	@skynewsgatherer	"This not a trial this is an enquiry," says Dr Wilcox
11:10	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner can however comment on the "robustness" of the evidence presented before her
11:12	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner decides which evidence she accepts and does not have to accept evidence from an expert - even if it is unchallenged
11:12	@skynewsgatherer	Unlikely that this death will ever be satisfactorily explained, says coroner
11:13	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says there has been a lot of speculation but little evidence. Fundamental question as to cause of death still unanswered
11:14	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner going through sequence of events which led to Gareth being found in padlocked bag in bath
11:16	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says following cordon established there was no unauthorised entry by MI6 or SO15 officers or 3rd party
11:17	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner explaining how Supt Michael Broster of SO15 acted as conduit between SIS and murder squad
11:18	@skynewsgatherer	The fact that no statements taken from MI6 officers affected quality of evidence at inquest says coroner
11:19	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner accepts that MI6 sealed and protected Gareth's possessions at his workplace
11:20	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner outlining chain of command, and reviews of police investigation
11:24	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says Supt Broster had either disregarded rules for gathering evidence or events were not as given in court
11:25	@skynewsgatherer	Broster told court he seized Gareth's phone from work cabinet, took it back to Scotland Yard the handed it to another officer
11:27	@skynewsgatherer	Bag, memory sticks, leave card and keys were not known to either coroner or lead police officer until last TWO days of evidence
11:27	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says this questions reliability of the evidence
11:28	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner: no evidence that Gareth died at hands of SIS colleague but still a legitimate line of enquiry as Gareth socialised with so few people
11:30	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner: It was not Broster's role to decide on evidence. How could he act as conduit if he didn't pass info on?
11:31	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says she had considered adjourning verdict for further investigation
11:32	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner now turning to chronology of last days of Gareth's life
11:36	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says MI6 should not have been allowed to analyse memory sticks and it wouldn't have happened if it was another agency
11:36	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner remarks how clean and tidy Gareth's flat was - and the heating was on in August
11:38	@skynewsgatherer	No signs of robbery at Gareth's flat, says coroner as she lists items found at flat
11:39	@skynewsgatherer	Items included CDs, bike gear, and 20k of women's high end clothing. No women's underwear
11:40	@skynewsgatherer	Bath robe and duvet on floor were "incongruous" with neatly folded clothes on bed, coroner says
11:41	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner describing bag, padlock and the fact that Gareth's body appeared to be peaceful
11:43	@skynewsgatherer	Key that fitted padlock were found in bag, and another on set of keyrings on bedside cabinet
11:44	@skynewsgatherer	No trace of semen inside or outside bag Gareth's body found in
11:45	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says fingerprints that were NOT found are more significant. No prints on bath where expected
11:46	@skynewsgatherer	Over 300 house to house enquires made, court told
11:48	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner outlining how extra time & resources were put into looking for 3rd party after mistake was made in logging DNA evidence
11:49	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says Gareth was extremely intelligent and close to his family, with a sharp sense of humour. Also keen cyclist
11:50	@skynewsgatherer	Gareth was fell runner with passion for the mountains, interested in art, fashion, music and Japanese cartoons
11:51	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says interest in Manga was important piece of evidence and will come back to it
11:52	@skynewsgatherer	Gareth was a clearly private person, he had few friends - no friends visited his flat. He was single at time of death, says coroner
11:53	@skynewsgatherer	Even Gareth's friends and family did not know he had been on fashion courses
11:55	@skynewsgatherer	Gareth's sister describes him as cautious risk assessor. Which coroner says is difficult to "square" with suggestion of bondage interest
11:56	@skynewsgatherer	If Gareth had interest in bondage Coroner says that she would have expected more Internet searching
11:57	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says she finds it "highly unlikely" that Gareth got into the bag as part of bondage
11:58	@skynewsgatherer	If Gareth had got into bag he would have taken knife in with him because he was a risk assessor, says coroner
12:00	@skynewsgatherer	There's no evidence of semen to suggest autoeroticism, says coroner. Also no evidence that Gareth was interested in cross dressing
12:00	@skynewsgatherer	Most of women's clothes would have been too small for Gareth and lack of female underwear was "inconsistent"
12:01	@skynewsgatherer	Make up and website browsing was more likely to be have been due his interest in Manga rather than being transvestite
12:03	@skynewsgatherer	1000 pound boots found at Gareth's flat would have fitted his sister
12:06	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner questions whether leaks to the media about Gareth cross dressing were attempts to manipulate the evidence
12:08	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner now turning to Gareth's state of mind
12:09	@skynewsgatherer	Gareth had asked to go back to GCHQ and move was not initiated by MI6. No one who knew him had worries about him
12:10	@skynewsgatherer	No evidence that Gareth wanted to leave and set up his own business or that he was being followed
12:14	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says Gareth had "robust" finances. He spent a lot of money on fashion collection but there's no evidence of debt
12:15	@skynewsgatherer	No evidence of suicide intent, says coroner
12:16	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says she is half way through her summing up
12:21	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner going through evidence from MI6 workers and the fact it took a week to report Gareth missing
12:23	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says credibility of evidence difficult to accept - it not very often that MI6 officers are found in such peculiar circumstances
12:25	@skynewsgatherer	Witness G says he had not seen holiday request card despite it being in a shared cupboard
12:26	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says Witness G had ample evidence to know Gareth was missing as he had failed to turn up at meetings
12:28	@skynewsgatherer	The fact that Witness G couldn't remember when he last saw Gareth was 'beginning to stretch the bounds of credibility' says coroner
12:32	@skynewsgatherer	Nothing was done to try and find Gareth until Aug 20th says corner. Witness G says it was 17th
12:33	@skynewsgatherer	Phone records shows that no calls were made to Gareth's phone on 17th
12:35	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner now turns to whether any evidence of interference with crime scene
12:37	@skynewsgatherer	DCI Sebire had stated that there was no evidence that the bag had been washed and following 23 Aug crime scene was protected
12:37	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says its pure speculation that flat was entered by someone between 16th and 23rd Aug 2010
12:41	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says how Gareth's personal risk was not increased after he and team won award for "world class" project
12:42	@skynewsgatherer	Gareth had never worked "operationally" overseas and had never been to Afghanistan
12:43	@skynewsgatherer	There was no reason to think Gareth's death was connected to his work, says coroner
12:44	@skynewsgatherer	"Once more, lots of speculation and no evidence," says coroner
12:45	@skynewsgatherer	Gareth's body had minor unexplained injuries says coroner. No evidence of strangulation or defensive injuries
12:46	@skynewsgatherer	Pathologists agreed that although cause of death was unascertained only 2 possibilities. Suffocation or poisoning
12:46	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says she accepts that cause of death was unnatural
12:48	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says it is possible Gareth entered bag voluntarily outside bathroom and moved - but she says unlikely
12:49	@skynewsgatherer	Grazes on elbows could have been caused by attempt by Gareth to reach the lock - however no evidence that he tried to escape
12:50	@skynewsgatherer	"On balance more likely that Gareth entered the bag alive & died soon afterwards either by hypercapnia or effects of unknown poison"
12:51	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says she cannot be sure death was unlawful
12:53	@skynewsgatherer	(Hypercapnia is too much carbon dioxide in blood)
12:54	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner turns to bag expert evidence. Inquest heard from 2 people who tried to lock themselves into similar XL North Face holdall
12:58	@skynewsgatherer	Cororer: Either Gareth got in bag and moved to bath by 3rd party or was put in bag by 3rd party
12:59	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says that she is satisfied that 3rd party moved bag containing Gareth into the bath
13:00	@skynewsgatherer	Poisoning remains a possibility as to how Gareth died says Coroner
13:01	@skynewsgatherer	It's remotely possible that Gareth was found dead in bag and moved - but why would 3rd party clean up if not involved, asks coroner
13:02	@skynewsgatherer	How did bag get in bath? It didn't levitate there. Why would the heating be on during a hot time of the year? Asks coroner
13:03	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says she had not seen any evidence of motive or direct causation of death. Or who 3rd party might be
13:04	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner cannot return unlawful killing as she cannot be sure. She also discounts all other short term verdicts and chooses narrative verdict
13:05	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says wiped phone also raises questions as to whether it was used to arrange meeting
13:06	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says that on balance of probabilities Gareth was killed unlawfully
13:07	@skynewsgatherer	Cause of Gareth's death was unnatural and likely to have been "criminal" says coroner
13:08	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says Gareth's death was "criminally mediated"
13:10	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner concludes by thanking barristers and DCI Jackie Sebire, officer in charge of case
13:10	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner also passes sympathy to Gareth's family. "Nothing can be said to bring your son back to you," she says
13:12	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says death was criminally mediated - as yet death not treated as murder by Met, but as suspicious
13:28	@skynewsgatherer	Photographers waiting for statement from Gareth Williams family
13:40	@skynewsgatherer	MI6 chief apologises "unreservedly" to Mr Williams's family over way inquiry hampered by his colleagues failing to react
13:44	@skynewsgatherer	Family statement on @SkyNews
13:45	@skynewsgatherer	Family disappointed in failures by MI6 to make possible evidence available to police
13:46	@skynewsgatherer	Family thank DCI Jackie Sebire. Say they miss Gareth every single day
13:54	@skynewsgatherer	DCI Jackie Sebire says police now chasing new lines of enquiry raised during inquest
16:01	@skynewsgatherer	Awaiting statement at New Scotland Yard for Met Police response to criticisms arising from Gareth Williams inquest
16:05	@skynewsgatherer	Statement expected any minute from Deputy Assistant Commissioner Martin Hewitt. It will be on @SkyNews
16:08	@skynewsgatherer	Met: review launched into exhibit handling in Gareth Williams investigation
16:40	@skynewsgatherer	Police appeal for anyone with info relating to death of Gareth Williams to call incident room on 0208 358 0200 or crimestoppers
END OF SESSION 15. Wednesday Morning/Afternoon, May 2, 2012

Link to source of May 2 coverage

Session 14. Tuesday Afternoon, May 1, 2012

SESSION 14. Tuesday Afternoon, May 1, 2012
12:39	@skynewsgatherer	Inquest into death of Gareth Williams resumes after lunch break. Not surprisingly Supt Michael Broster is back
WITNESS: Michael Broster
12:42	@skynewsgatherer	Supt led search at MI6 building. He says he didn't search himself but when cabinet was opened iPhone was 'immediately obvious'
12:44	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster confirms he seized iPhone from cabinet on Gareth's office at MI6
12:48	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster says he can't remember if cabinet was sealed on his first visit to Gareth's office on 26th
12:50	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster says he played no part in search. That was done by earlier witness DC Hall
12:52	@skynewsgatherer	iPhone seized by Supt Broster was not put in exhibits bag until it was back at Scotland Yard
12:54	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner: "Did you tell DC Hall you had seized it so it could be noted in log?" Broster: "I can't recall, it maybe that I neglected do that,"
12:57	@skynewsgatherer	The cabinet was used by Gareth and his colleagues. Gareth's possessions were mainly found on 2nd shelf
12:59	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster says he was only told of the black bag after he had returned NSY. He didn't notice it during search of office
13:01	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster confirms that no inventory made of Gareth's possessions at office. He says only relevant items should be seized
13:02	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner asking how DC Hall should identify "relevant" items
13:03	@skynewsgatherer	Supt being asked about 9 memory sticks - which murder squad not told about
13:04	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster says memory cards were not brought to his attention at time of first search
13:06	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster says they were first identified in an inventory created by SIS in Sept 2011
13:07	@skynewsgatherer	A second inventory had list of 30 different sorts of things from Gareth's box folder. One just says misc items
13:08	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster admits these inventories were not shared with senior investigating officer. He did not know what misc items were
13:09	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster says had he given these to murder squad team it wouldn't have helped investigation
13:12	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner reminds Supt Broster that he had previously given evidence that investigation was not hampered by SO15's involvement
13:13	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner asking why items were not seized when Supt Broster was told about them in 2011
13:14	@skynewsgatherer	Supt says he could not attribute items as having been used by Gareth. Despite inventory listed as "content of Gareth's tray"
13:16	@skynewsgatherer	"If this had been given to you by any other type of agency you would have seized it," asks coroner
13:17	@skynewsgatherer	"I am suggesting that you are not being completely impartial in this case" says Coroner. "I am completely impartial" says Broster
13:18	@skynewsgatherer	"In hindsight it's something that SO15 could have done," says Broster when asked if SO15 should have examined memory sticks
13:19	@skynewsgatherer	"It seems DCI Sebire has been relying on communications with the agencies on you," says Coroner
13:19	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster says that he passed all relevant information on to murder squad team
13:22	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster, of Met's counter terror team, says he is impartial despite allowing MI6 to examine memory sticks
13:34	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster: "I am not saying a member of SIS isn't involved. I don't know. It might have been SIS, or someone unconnected"
13:40	@skynewsgatherer	Supt Broster says keys found were for the office - he was told this by SIS. He didn't check
13:40	@stone_skynews	More curious evidence this pm from Gareth Williams inquest. Too much to tweet it all but interesting observation now from Police witness..
13:40	@stone_skynews	Discussing why certain items of evidence at MI6 weren't seized, Police officer says Met can't just walk into MI6 & do what they want
13:42	@skynewsgatherer	Family lawyer:" So if person who killed Gareth is a member if SIS, you don't investigate because SIS is trustworthy?"
13:42	@stone_skynews	Police officer admits that MI6 were left to examine memory sticks to see what was on them. Police never seized the sticks. Gareth Williams
13:46	@stone_skynews	Coroner suggests to police witness that he is not an impartial investigator. "an impartial investigator would have seized items themselves"
13:46	@skynewsgatherer	Lawyer for SIS says a receipt for hotel bill from Las Vegas was also seized but both Supt Broster and DC Hall had no knowledge of this
13:52	@stone_skynews	Family lawyer asks cop: "so if the person who killed Gareth Williams was a member of SIS (MI6) you would do nothing to investigate because.
13:52	@stone_skynews	... you believed that organisation to be trustworthy?" Cop says don't put words into my mouth. He insists MI6 have been fully cooperative
13:54	@skynewsgatherer	RT @Stone_SkyNews: Family lawyer asks cop: "so if the person who killed Gareth Williams was a member of SIS (MI6) you would do nothing t ..
13:55	@skynewsgatherer	RT @Stone_SkyNews: ... you believed that organisation to be trustworthy?" Cop says don't put words into my mouth. He insists MI6 have be ..
13:58	@skynewsgatherer	Inquest adjourned for screens to be put up in court to shield identity of next witness
14:02	@skynewsgatherer	Anonymous witness is being described a SIS D - no further details of who it is yet
14:20	@skynewsgatherer	Inquest resumes SIS D is the manager of Gareth's line manager (witness G)
WITNESS: Witness D
14:22	@skynewsgatherer	SIS D's signature was on Gareth's annual leave card. Witness says he would do this if line manager was away
14:24	@skynewsgatherer	Witness D says other than the card there we no other records of leave booked
14:25	@skynewsgatherer	Witness knew Gareth had not been in work and was told that HR had been informed
14:28	@skynewsgatherer	Witness D says he was not passed any specific information as to how to secure Gareth's possessions - but more tape and a note put on cabinet
14:29	@skynewsgatherer	Witnesses D and G were present during police search of cabinet on aug 26 2010
14:30	@skynewsgatherer	Witness, or his colleague, would have opened cabinet for SO15 officers Broster and Hall, inquest told
14:32	@skynewsgatherer	Witness cannot remember if anything was seized from cabinet - he can't remember if iPhone was taken from shelf
14:34	@skynewsgatherer	Witness can't remember if Supt Broster was in room for whole of 55 minute search
14:35	@skynewsgatherer	Witness cannot remember the black bag shown to the court earlier
14:37	@skynewsgatherer	Witness was also at subsequent search on 27th
14:43	@skynewsgatherer	Family lawyer now asking questions. Witness says cabinet was locked on Aug 26 but didn't have any additional seals on it
14:44	@skynewsgatherer	Family lawyer asking whether items from other colleagues were removed. They were not
14:46	@skynewsgatherer	Witness says it's possible cabinet could have been opened by SIS when police were not present
14:48	@skynewsgatherer	Met police lawyer now asking questions. Witness says no notes were taken at time and has only just been asked to recall events
14:49	@skynewsgatherer	Witness was only asked for his account of events yesterday and admits his recollection is "hazy"
14:51	@skynewsgatherer	Screens now being removed. Coroner still expects to complete all evidence today
15:08	@skynewsgatherer	Police have requested that exhibits presented before coroner are not released to the media as DCI has only just seen them
15:09	@skynewsgatherer	Statement now from GCHQ team leader, who was point of contact for SO15
STATEMENT: GCHQ team leader
15:15	@skynewsgatherer	DCI Jackie Sebire, now recalled. She is the SIO for the murder enquiry into death of Gareth Williams
WITNESS: Jackie Sebire
15:17	@skynewsgatherer	DCI asked if any of Gareth's footprints were found on tiles in bathroom after watching expert witness try to get into bag in bath
15:17	@skynewsgatherer	No footprints were found other than on the floor, inquest told
15:18	@skynewsgatherer	2 detectives from SO15 went to Las Vegas to trace Gareth's last movements. Nothing was raised with enquiry team
15:20	@skynewsgatherer	DCI confirms that Gareth's finances were key line of enquiry but no unusual entries to his four accounts
15:20	@skynewsgatherer	Receipts and bank statements showed purchase of expensive women's clothes but no unusual deposits or withdrawals
15:22	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner asks Gareth's sister or shoe size. It is 6.5. (similar to shoes found in Gareth's flat)
15:25	@skynewsgatherer	When asked about phone found in Gareth's flat - DCI says no calls were made on phone before Gareth's death
15:25	@skynewsgatherer	This phone had been restored to factory settings - no data was found with the network provider
15:27	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says in an ideal world she would have liked to have had 'primary access to' all the material gathered from Gareth's work
15:28	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says investigation has never been classified as a murder enquiry - it's a suspicious death
15:29	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says all lines of enquiry will be relooked at following new information which has come out during inquest
15:29	@skynewsgatherer	DCI Sebire says after hearing all the evidence she still regards Gareth Williams' death as suspicious
15:30	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says enquiries are still ongoing and won't stop until answers found
15:32	@skynewsgatherer	DCI looked into how someone could covertly enter Gareth's flat without keys - says someone could put arm through letter box
15:32	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says two bag experts used by police were independent of each other and only met at court last week
15:36	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says SIS officers we always interviewed with a lawyer or HR manager present
15:40	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says she got witness statements from some people but not anonymous witnesses - she thought this was policy decision made by Supt Broster
15:42	@skynewsgatherer	DCI confirms that over a 2 year period there were only 4 days when Gareth looked up bondage sites
15:44	@skynewsgatherer	There appears to be coincidence of use of bondage sites with application for secondment and course, says family lawyer
15:45	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says she looked at coincidence and asked Supt Broster to look into whether courses included methods of escape
15:46	@skynewsgatherer	DCI couldn't establish if Gareth had visited gay bars in Vauxhall
15:48	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says she has seen first hand distress caused to family and team about leaks of information to media
15:49	@skynewsgatherer	Information appeared in press that DCI Sebire's team didn't even know about, she tells inquest
15:50	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says her team felt very strongly that they didn't want enquiry prejudiced in any way
15:50	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says practically every line of enquiry from public was followed up
15:52	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says that while exhibits officers were at flat the boiler kicked in 3 times to turn the heating and water on (in August)
15:53	@skynewsgatherer	Family lawyer asking if heating could have speeded decomposition of body
15:55	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says she can't answer question about whether previous tenants in Gareth's flat did the same work
15:56	@skynewsgatherer	DCI also says she can't say how many employees of GCHQ/SIS have given DNA samples to investigating team
15:57	@skynewsgatherer	DCI: "We have a lot more telephone and computer work, all evidence from inquest will be looked at.. Plus info from work colleagues"
15:58	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says it's a decision for her boss as to whether she will continue to be the SIO on the case
15:59	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says had SIS reported Gareth missing earlier in the day it would have made a difference as more resources available
16:03	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says she strongly believes 3rd party was involved in Gareth's death and urges people to "search their consciences"
16:07	@skynewsgatherer	All evidence now concluded in inquest into Gareth Williams death. Coroner will deliver verdict tomorrow after legal submissions
END OF SESSION 14. Tuesday Afternoon, May 1, 2012

Link to source of May 1 coverage

Session 13. Tuesday Morning, May 1, 2012

SESSION 13. Tuesday Morning, May 1, 2012
8:42	@skynewsgatherer	Back with @Stone_SkyNews for final stage of inquest into death of Gareth Williams. Today DCI Jackie Sebire will be recalled
8:58	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner has asked to recall Ros Hammond, forensic scientist from LGC. Plus call a DC Hall from Met and an anonymous witness called SIS D
9:05	@stone_skynews	Back at what should be the penultimate day in the inquest of MI6 spy Gareth Williams. The coroner should deliver verdict tomorrow
9:07	@stone_skynews	There is now suggestion already that things may slip in Gareth Williams inquest. Coroner is asking for witnesses to be recalled
9:07	@stone_skynews	The forensic scientist who gave evidence yesterday, a police officer and a new anon MI6 witness could be called on to give evidence
9:11	@skynewsgatherer	DCI Jackie Sebire back in the witness box, she is the SIO in Gareth Williams case
WITNESS: Jackie Sebire
9:12	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner asks if detective had ever been provided with a list of Gareth's belongings from SIS or GCHQ. She says no
9:13	@skynewsgatherer	Detective says the first she heard of a North Face holdall being found amongst work things was yesterday
9:14	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says she only learnt this morning that 9 memory sticks were found with Gareth's work belongings
9:16	@stone_skynews	Throughout this inquest there has been an awkward desire to balance public interest with national security
9:16	@stone_skynews	Coroner grants anonymity to a further MI6 witness and recalls the Forensic Scientist, Ros Hammond later today
9:16	@skynewsgatherer	Family lawyer asking if DCI had been aware of memory sticks in 2010 if she would have looked at them
9:19	@skynewsgatherer	DCI says that memory sticks would have been checked had she known about them. DCI was only told of emails
9:24	@stone_skynews	Interesting developments - cop in charge of investigation says she was not aware of 9 memory sticks found in Gareth Williams work belongings
9:25	@skynewsgatherer	Gareth Williams inquest now in chambers. Update when we are allowed back into court
9:37	@skynewsgatherer	Next up is DC Colin Hall, he had not been due to give evidence today
WITNESS: Colin Hall
9:38	@skynewsgatherer	Detective went to MI6 offices on 26 August, 3 days after Gareth was discovered dead
9:40	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall was taken to the room that Gareth shared with 3 colleagues. He was taken to one of 3 cabinets
9:42	@skynewsgatherer	Detective told certain items were for Gareth's work and he couldn't examine them. No inventory was taken
9:44	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall works a forensic officer with the Met's counter terrorism team SO15
9:45	@skynewsgatherer	DC says there was no evidence that Gareth's cabinet had been sealed following his death. But it was locked
9:49	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall says it's not be routine to take an inventory of items. He only recorded a photocopied birth certificate of Gareth and a note pad
9:49	@skynewsgatherer	Items were seized on DC's second visit to MI6
9:51	@skynewsgatherer	DC says that if he had seen a mobile phone in Gareth's office he would have seized it. DC doesn't remember seeing one
9:55	@skynewsgatherer	DC says he found a black North Face back under Gareth's desk. It contained 'personal items'. The bag was not seized
9:56	@skynewsgatherer	DC says he was told by Supt that the bag should be locked and left in place. ' I am a DC I do what I am told'
9:57	@skynewsgatherer	DC admits that the bag should have been seized. The bag was looked through but no inventory was taken
9:58	@skynewsgatherer	DC says he was acting on orders from Supt Michael Broster
10:01	@skynewsgatherer	Gareth's work cabinet was sealed on August 26 during So15's 55 minute visit. DC says the search was cut short
10:02	@skynewsgatherer	DC doesn't know why search was cut short but that he had to return the following day to complete it
10:04	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall also attended search of GCHQ, where Gareth had worked before secondment to SIS in London
10:06	@skynewsgatherer	DC found 3 'entirely' empty draws with the keys found in the top one, inquest told. He says he would have made note if any docs found
10:08	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall confirms he has security clearance when asked by family lawyer. The DC went into Gareth's flat the day body found
10:10	@skynewsgatherer	DC's job was to look for 'sensitive' items in the flat. He found some but none were seized, he tells inquest
10:14	@skynewsgatherer	Under questioning from family lawyer DC Hall admits cabinet was not 'sealed' but relocked with same combination lock by MI6
10:16	@skynewsgatherer	DC changes evidence and says the bag was locked and put in cabinet not left in situ under table as he said earlier
10:18	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall says bag was unlocked by MI6, he can't remember how it was locked and unlocked
10:19	@skynewsgatherer	DC says he can't remember exactly what was in the bag. Family lawyer says 'it's as helpful as a London pea-souper'
10:20	@skynewsgatherer	DC was told by superior officer not to take Gareth's passport. He says he can't remember where it was
10:21	@skynewsgatherer	DC asked if Kray twins were involved rather than SIS if things would have been done differently
10:22	@skynewsgatherer	DC says he was told by MI6 as to what was sensitive and what was not
10:22	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall: "I was under instructions and as I said I do what I am told."
10:33	@stone_skynews	It emerges that the only items seized by police from Gareth Williams 2 work places were laptop, post-it note pad & birth certificate copy
10:35	@skynewsgatherer	DC saw memory sticks but was told they contained sensitive information
10:37	@skynewsgatherer	MI6 barrister making the point that SO15 was brought in because of security clearance and could have requested to seize items
10:46	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall asked about a hotel bill and medical note found in cabinet. DC says he did not seize those items
10:48	@skynewsgatherer	SIS barrister now asking DC Hall if he could be wrong that Gareth's pedestal at GCHQ was empty. Asking if 2 H&S certs were there
10:50	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall saying he is relying on his notes he made at the time. It makes no mention of health and safety certificates
10:57	@skynewsgatherer	Bag in question found at MI6 has now been brought into court. Coroner wants to check lock - police taking forensic advice
10:59	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall showing the court how big Gareth's work cabinet was - looks about six feet tall
11:03	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner pushing whether DC Hall would have known if Supt Broster had discovered phone in cabinet
11:03	@skynewsgatherer	DC hall eventually replies: "I would have thought I would have known"
11:04	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall now putting on gloves to look at the lock on North Face bag found in Gareth's office
11:05	@skynewsgatherer	The bag is unlocked and empty, there are no padlocks, or locks of any kind on it
11:07	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall says he can't be sure it was the bag in question
11:08	@skynewsgatherer	Police now checking in various carrier bags to see if they can find lock
11:09	@skynewsgatherer	Family lawyer remarking that whole point of exhibits officer is to record items which could be relevant
11:10	@stone_skynews	Court has now seen the bag said to have been found but not seized at Gareth Williams MI6 office. It is a small black North Face holdall
11:12	@skynewsgatherer	DC Hall has now been released from court to go and look for a padlock after checks made with crime scene manager
11:13	@skynewsgatherer	Forensic scientist Ros Hammond from LGC now recalled for a couple of quick questions from coroner
WITNESS: Ros Hammond
11:13	@stone_skynews	Crux of morning questioning is why police did not seize certain/all items from Gareth Williams workplace? Were they prevented from doing so?
11:15	@stone_skynews	Coroner also examining who locked/unlocked/sealed/unsealed items at Gareth Williams MI6 office. Confusing lines of questioning
11:16	@skynewsgatherer	Ms Hammond asked about timing as to when DNA error discovered. Mistake uncovered on Feb 7 and confirmed on 8th
11:19	@skynewsgatherer	Inquest adjourned for lunch after an incredible morning of evidence
END OF SESSION 13. Tuesday Morning, May 1, 2012

Link to source of May 1 coverage

Session 12. Monday Afternoon, April 30, 2012

SESSION 12. Monday Afternoon, April 30, 2012
13:37	@skynewsgatherer	Forensic scientist Ros Hammond now giving evidence
WITNESS: Ros Hammond
13:39	@skynewsgatherer	Ms Hammond is explaining that DNA on Gareth's hand was actually from fellow scientist. Error was only discovered on Feb 8 2012
13:48	@skynewsgatherer	Ms Hammond says it is first time she has come across this sort of error - it was mistake in manually inputting data into system
13:51	@skynewsgatherer	Scientist got a 3 and 5 mixed up. There are now automatic computer checks in place to prevent it happening again, inquest told
13:59	@skynewsgatherer	There's evidence from at least 2 other unaccounted for people in Gareth's flat, says scientist
14:00	@skynewsgatherer	However Ms Hammond says DNA can last for weeks, even years
14:01	@skynewsgatherer	Blood stain on bag and carpet came from Gareth, scientist tells inquest
14:02	@skynewsgatherer	All other DNA stains tested gave a profile which matched Gareth's inquest told
14:03	@skynewsgatherer	There was DNA on bag handles which was not Gareth's but no clear profile found, inquest told
14:13	@skynewsgatherer	Witness says DNA tests on a towel are still ongoing which could prove helpful in a future criminal trial
14:14	@skynewsgatherer	Tests on towel will be concluded "within weeks" says Ms Hammond
14:18	@skynewsgatherer	Witness says that if someone else locked the padlock, she would not necessarily expect to find their DNA
14:20	@skynewsgatherer	DNA is transferred at a different level depending on circumstances, eg: whether hands had been recently washed and type of surface
14:22	@skynewsgatherer	Steve Allen, who is responsible for running LGC forensics division, is now giving evidence
WITNESS: Steve Allen
14:24	@skynewsgatherer	Coroner says the mistake in inputting data was an "error waiting to happen" and asks why safe guards were not in place
14:29	@skynewsgatherer	Gary Pugh, head of Met Police forensics, now up. He says DNA presented to court can be relied upon
WITNESS: Gary Pugh
14:33	@skynewsgatherer	Evidence in Gareth Williams inquest now finished for today. Coroner says she hopes to give her verdict Wednesday
END OF SESSION 12. Monday Afternoon, April 30, 2012

Link to source of April 30 coverage

Session 11. Monday Morning, April 30, 2012

SESSION 11. Monday Morning, April 30, 2012
9:04	@skynewsgatherer	Gareth's body was removed from the bottom of the bag - not via the zipped opening
9:05	@skynewsgatherer	Two hairs were found on Gareth's thumb
9:08	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Swift says that if someone was already dead when moved there would be no bruising
WITNESS: Benjamin Swift
9:09	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Swift says that in cases of smothering there are often no marks left
9:11	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Swift found a 0.6cm bruise to left forearm, graze to left elbow and 0.7 graze to right elbow, and inner left eye socket
9:12	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Swift says injuries likely to have been caused after death due to position in the bag
9:14	@skynewsgatherer	No injuries in Gareth's neck, or head, there were 3 internal bruises to loin, elbow and right chest wall. No bruising around wrists
9:17	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Swift says injuries could have been caused accidentally. No signs of obvious poisoning
9:18	@skynewsgatherer	No obvious signs of natural disease
9:19	@skynewsgatherer	Pathologist: No significant traumatic injury, no injuries of offensive or defence nature, no sexual assault
9:20	@skynewsgatherer	Pathologist Dr Swift could not confirm cause of death
9:21	@skynewsgatherer	Pathologist tells coroner there we no signs from Gareth's finger tips that he tried to get out the bag
9:23	@skynewsgatherer	Cause of death could not be ascertained due to decomposition of Gareth's body, pathologist says
9:26	@skynewsgatherer	Family lawyer now asking questions about how decomposition affected results of PM. Inquest hears how the heating was on in August
9:27	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Swift refuses to speculate on what might have caused Gareth's death
9:29	@skynewsgatherer	When pushed Dr says asphyxiation and poison were two 'foremost contenders' to be most likely cause of death
9:33	@skynewsgatherer	Experienced pathologist Dr Ian Calder performed 2nd PM
WITNESS: Ian Calder
9:35	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Calder says he agrees with Dr Swift that if Gareth had been moved after death he wouldn't have sustained bruises
9:36	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Calder agrees that cause of death was 'unascertained'
9:40	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Calder explains that it's not so much the lack of oxygen in bag - but the build up of carbon dioxide
9:42	@skynewsgatherer	CO2 makes people confused which would make someone 'fade away with no pain and increasing lack of awareness of environment' says witness
9:46	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Calder says 'very likely' cause of death was hypercapnia (too much carbon dioxide in blood)
9:54	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Richard Shepherd, acting for the coroner, now giving evidence. He agrees with other 2 pathologists
WITNESS: Richard Shepherd
9:55	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Shepherd found no patterns of injuries and no restraining injuries
9:56	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Shepherd says it would have been 'extremely difficult' to place a newly dead body into the bag
9:57	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Shepherd says a person 'playing dead' is not same as an actual dead body. His experience is that it would be 'very difficult process'
9:58	@skynewsgatherer	Dr says that if Gareth was alive going in bag he would have expected some 'gripping injuries'
9:59	@skynewsgatherer	Dr says it's more likely that Gareth was alive when he entered the bag than dead
10:01	@skynewsgatherer	Dr agrees 'mode of dying' was most likely carbon dioxide
10:03	@skynewsgatherer	Dr says two possibilities of cause of death were suffocation or poisoning
10:05	@skynewsgatherer	Inquest hears that although cause of death is unascertained Gareth's death is 'unnatural'
10:09	@stone_skynews	Pathologist says in his opinion Gareth Williams death was unnatural and caused either by poisoning or suffocation because of too much CO2
10:09	@skynewsgatherer	Dr Shepherd says it is possible that Gareth voluntarily got into the bag
10:11	@skynewsgatherer	Dr: Gareth would probably have been aware oxygen was running out but not known at what stage this would happen
10:13	@skynewsgatherer	Pathologist suggesting Gareth would have known air was running out but he may already have been too affected by Co2 to do anything about it
10:16	@skynewsgatherer	To sum up - on balance of probability Gareth was alive getting into bag and would have had some awareness, says witness
10:17	@skynewsgatherer	On balance of probability the mode of dying was hypercapnia but cause of death unascertained
10:25	@skynewsgatherer	Pathologists says the youngest & fittest can survive hypercapnia the longest
10:26	@skynewsgatherer	Inquest taking short break. Then will hear from forensic scientists on DNA evidence
10:58	@skynewsgatherer	Inquest resumes with evidence from coroner officer's Barry May
WITNESS: Barry May
10:59	@skynewsgatherer	Mr May was asked to investigate by previous coroner after family raised concerns about 2nd PM examination
11:02	@skynewsgatherer	Request for 2nd independent PM didn't follow protocol due to inexperience of a worker the coroner's office
11:07	@skynewsgatherer	Police, family and first pathologist weren't told of 2nd examination when they should have been
11:12	@skynewsgatherer	Inquest told of 'communication breakdown' in the former coroner's office in regard to 2nd PM examination
11:16	@skynewsgatherer	Statement now from Tony Larkin, a scientist from forensic firm LGC. He looked of bloodstains, DNA and hairs
WITNESS: Tony Larkin
11:19	@skynewsgatherer	Mr Larkin found a spot of blood near lights switch and an 'aged' spot of blood on the floor
11:23	@skynewsgatherer	Mr Larkin says possible bloodstain on bag - but very weak result
11:24	@skynewsgatherer	Also weak blood spot on the padlock
11:26	@skynewsgatherer	Mr Larkin actually works for Met Police - witness list was incorrect
11:36	@skynewsgatherer	Inquest hears that an error in logging DNA means that Gareth's family thought there was evidence of 3rd party
11:37	@skynewsgatherer	DNA was actually from another scientist - error was only found when case was reviewed
11:41	@skynewsgatherer	Inquest now adjourned until 2pm
END OF SESSION 11. Monday Morning, April 30, 2012

Link to source of April 30 coverage

Contents

Session 15. Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Session 14. Tuesday Afternoon, May 1, 2012

Session 13. Tuesday Morning, May 1, 2012

Session 12. Monday Afternoon, April 30, 2012

Session 11. Monday Morning, April 30, 2012