UKGC Withholds Coroner Correspondence

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UKGC Confirms but Hides Talks with Chief Coroner's Office

The UK Gambling Commission (UKGC) has confirmed it holds correspondence with the Office of the Chief Coroner but has refused to release the information, citing sensitivities around an "ongoing inquest matter." The decision was revealed in a response to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request published on 7 May 2024.

The request asked for all correspondence between the gambling regulator and the Office of the Chief Coroner for England and Wales from January 2022 to April 2024.

While the Commission confirmed it holds information matching the request, it withheld the documents entirely. This indicates that communication between the two public bodies did occur during the specified 28-month period.

Why This Matters to Consumers

The Office of the Chief Coroner provides leadership and guidance to coroners, who are responsible for investigating certain types of deaths. In recent years, coroners have issued Prevention of Future Deaths (PFD) reports following inquests where gambling has been identified as a contributing factor.

Correspondence between the UK's gambling regulator and the head of the coronial service is therefore of significant public interest. It sheds light on how state bodies are addressing the most severe cases of gambling-related harm and working to prevent future tragedies.

The Reason for Refusal

The UKGC invoked Section 36 of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 to withhold the documents. This exemption is designed to protect the "free and frank exchange of views" within and between public bodies to ensure the effective conduct of public affairs.

In its response, the Commission stated that a qualified person believed disclosure would likely inhibit discussions between the UKGC and other public bodies. Crucially, the regulator added a specific reason for the refusal:

"The nature of this communication also touches on an inquest matter which is currently ongoing."

Public Interest vs. Confidentiality

The UKGC acknowledged a legitimate public interest in transparency. However, it argued that this was outweighed by the need to protect sensitive discussions and maintain a "safe space" for officials to deliberate on live issues without "external interference."

It concluded that there was no "outstanding public interest in releasing this information whilst the review is still ongoing," and that the public interest was best served by maintaining the exemption.

What This Reveals

While the content of the discussions remains secret, the UKGC's response confirms that the regulator is actively communicating with the coronial service at a high level. The specific mention of an "ongoing inquest" suggests these communications are not merely procedural but relate to a live case involving a gambling-related death.

The decision to withhold the information highlights the tension between the public's right to know and the need for government bodies to conduct sensitive work in private. For consumers and campaigners, it confirms that gambling-related deaths are a subject of discussion at the highest levels of regulation and justice, even if the details of those discussions are not made public.