Letter: Public inquiry won’t bring victims back

It would seem that we are currently awash with public inquiries and, no doubt, another one will be called for to investigate the Southport atrocity perpetrated by an entity surely from an alien planet in the guise of a young human being!

An inquiry is a lengthy, costly procedure but, really, what fully effective purpose does it serve? It won’t bring someone back to life or immediately put right a wrong. Records and other paperwork will be reviewed, people and organisations questioned. They will squirm like worms on the end of a pin, make their excuses and reluctant apologies.

It’s unlikely that anyone will be sacked, a few knuckles will be rapped, and the meaningless “lessons will be learned” phrase will be trotted out.

Some may think that an inquiry results in ‘closure’ but, in the meantime, those wanting such closure will go through a long period of suspense and uncertainly, constantly reliving a happening or situation which needs to be put firmly at the back of the mind in order to recover and get on with life.

For ‘inquiry’ read ‘public relations exercise’.

Phyllis Inglis

New Milton