Restriction Order for Opening Statement Hearings

RESTRICTION ORDER PURSUANT TO SECTION 19 OF THE INQUIRIES ACT 2005

The Chairman has the power under section 19 of the Inquiries Act 2005 (“the Act”) to make orders restricting attendance at a hearing and on the disclosure or publication of evidence and documents given, produced or provided to the Inquiry.

Any threat to break such an order, or any breach of it, can be certified to the High Court or Court of Session under section 36 of the Act, which will deal with it as though the breach had occurred in proceedings before that court, and may be punishable by a fine or committal to prison.

In exercise of the power, IT IS ORDERED THAT:

• There shall be a time delay of 3 minutes on the YouTube broadcast of the Inquiry’s opening statement hearings to be held on 23 and 24 June 2025 and any subsequent days.
• Unless express permission is given by the Inquiry Chairman, or the Solicitor to the Inquiry acting on his behalf, the matters discussed during the Inquiry’s opening statement hearings on 23 and 24 June 2025 must not be published in any form, unless and until broadcast on the time delayed YouTube broadcast or, a transcript of the hearing is published on the Inquiry’s website.
• Any information that is removed from the time-delayed YouTube broadcast and/or redacted in the transcript published on the Inquiry’s website must not be repeated, disclosed or duplicated to any third party.
• This Order remains in force for the duration of the Inquiry and at all times thereafter, unless otherwise ordered.
• The Chairman of the Inquiry may vary or revoke this Order by making a further order during the course of the Inquiry.

PENAL NOTICE

• The High Court and the Court of Session have the power to imprison or fine for any breach of this Order.
• Any breach of this Order by any means whatsoever shall be notified in writing to the Solicitor of the Inquiry immediately upon identification of the breach.

Rt. Hon. Lord Turnbull

Inquiry Chairman

11 June 2025