UK coastguard to receive legal training for inquest into Channel deaths

Course aims to help staff defend actions at future inquiry into how at least 27 people died last year

Search and rescue staff from the UK coastguard are being provided with training that would help them to defend their actions at a future inquiry into how at least 27 people died in the Channel last year, the Guardian has learned.

In August, HM Coastguard awarded a 19,200 contract to the training company Bond Solon to prepare operational search and rescue staff to give evidence in legal hearings, which will provide assurances that they are performing their duties in line with expected processes that may be challenged in an inquest or inquiry".