Mr Brett Lockhart QC, Chairman of the Neurology Inquiry and co- panellist, Prof Hugo Mascie-Taylor endorsed the decision by the Minister saying:
“We welcome the statement by the Minister announcing that the Independent Neurology Inquiry will be converted to a statutory public inquiry under the Inquiries Act 2005.
“We stated from the outset as an independent non statutory inquiry we expected the full cooperation of everyone throughout the evidence gathering process. This Ministerial directive will ensure such cooperation.
“The announcement also reinforces our independence and will not impede or slow down our work to date. We owe it to patients, their families and to those working within the health service to move expeditiously as possible over the coming months”.
Minister's Statement to the NI Assembly