Key Facts

• Edward Leigh is calling for an independent public advocate.
• The advocate would help families affected by public tragedies in the immediate aftermath.
• Independence of the IPA (Independent Public Advocate) must be guaranteed at the moment of decision.
• Edward Leigh is the MP for Gainsborough (Conservative).
• The discussion is part of a Public Bill Committee on the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
• Edward Leigh intervenes to manage time, specifically calling out Oliver Heald and Sarah Champion.
• The discussion involves the role of an independent public advocate (IPA) proposed by the Victims and Prisoners Bill.
• Witnesses include Rt Rev James Jones and Ken Sutton, who provide insights into the importance of independence and candour for IPAs.
• Edward Leigh acknowledges the contributions from the witnesses.
• Lord Wills acknowledges the government's endorsement of an independent public advocate but finds the Bill flawed.
• The Bill gives the Secretary of State unfettered powers over the appointment and dismissal of the independent public advocate.
• Lord Wills' original Bill aimed to give bereaved families and surviving victims effective agency.
• The proposed standing secretariat would provide immediate support for families affected by public disasters.
• Lord Wills believes it is crucial to prevent cover-ups which erode faith in democratic institutions.
• The Bill should include measures to restrict the Secretary of State's discretion and promote transparency.
• Nick Hurd was Minister for Policing and the Fire Service during Grenfell disaster.
• Tim Suter is a solicitor with experience in major inquiries including Hillsborough, Manchester Arena, Birmingham pub bombings, and 7/7.
• Witnesses support an independent public advocate but express concerns about its role's clarity and potential to manage expectations.
• Edward Leigh is concerned about the clarity of the IPA's role and responsibilities.
• There are questions regarding whether IPAs should be impartial or independent advocates for victims.
• The Bill raises issues about the terms of appointment and resignation of IPAs.
• Nick Hurd expresses concerns about the appointment process for the public advocate.
• Tim Suter agrees on the importance of speed, trust, confidence, and independence in the recruitment process.
• The Inquiries Act 2005 is mentioned as a relevant legal framework.
• Ruth Davison is the chief executive of Refuge, a provider of specialist services for women experiencing gender-based violence.
• Ellen Miller is the interim CEO of SafeLives, an organisation supporting victims of domestic abuse.
• Refuge estimates that full funding of community-based services would cost £238 million per year.
• The Victims' Code of Practice is not effectively implemented or enforced.
• Ellen Miller emphasizes that an IDVA role requires a 12-day training programme as a basic threshold.
• There are concerns about elevating the IDVA and ISVA roles over other vital community outreach roles, potentially impacting funding availability for culturally specific services.
• Edward Leigh thanks Ruth Davison for her input.
• The discussion focuses on the need for a firewall to separate statutory services from immigration services.
• Victims are often deterred from reporting due to fear of criminalisation or loss of rights.