Amy Winehouse death revisited after coroner bungle

Amy Winehouse. Photo/supplied

Another inquest into Amy Winehouse's death has been ordered after revelations the coroner who presided over her original hearing was not qualified.

The result of the Back to Black singer's passing was officially recorded as
"misadventure" through accidental alcohol poisoning.

However, it has emerged that the coroner who worked on the original inquest Suzanne Greenway was not qualified for the role.

The inquest will now be re-heard next month at St. Pancras Coroner's court, where the original inquest took place.

Dr Shirley Radcliffe, interim coroner for Inner North London, said: "I can confirm that an inquest into the death of Amy Winehouse will be heard at St. Pancras Coroner's Court.

After taking the appropriate legal advice I am minded that due to the previous assistant deputy coroner's ineligibility to hold coronial office that the inquest into the death of Amy Winehouse has not technically been heard.

"I have therefore scheduled an inquest to take place where the evidence will be heard in public before a judgement is made."

Greenway stood down from her post of assistant deputy coroner in November 2011 after it emerged she had not been a lawyer in the UK for the required five years.

The local council said she had been appointed "in error" by her husband Dr Andrew Reid, the coroner for inner north London.

Reid was suspended in February this year as the Official for Judicial Complaints began an investigation and has since resigned.

He has previously written to a number of families offering them a second inquest, and reassuring them he was "confident" the inquiries had been handled correctly in the first place.

Winehouse's father Mitch Winehouse said he and his family were "shocked" to discover Greenway was not qualified but did not believe the ruling was in any doubt.

He said: "We were very shocked when we were informed the coroner was not suitably qualified.

"It's hard to believe her credentials weren't fully checked. You'd assume this sort of thing can't happen.

"We've been informed the coroner was taking guidance from more experienced professionals and the verdict doesn't appear to be in any doubt, but it's upsetting to have to go through all this again. We just hope that matters can be resolved soon."

- Bang! Showbiz