The independent inquiry into the events on the University Campus on 22 March 2011 has now been formally constituted.  The members of the Inquiry are:

  • Charles Kennedy (Chair)
  • George Moore QC
  • Professor Sheila Rowan
  • Fraser Sutherland

This is a link to the  Terms of Reference - Hetherington Inquiry 

The first stage of the Inquiry is fact finding.   During this preliminary stage the Inquiry will gather in and review documentary evidence and identify potential witnesses who can assist with the Inquiry’s deliberations.  The Inquiry has no power to compel anyone to provide evidence to it but encourages all those with knowledge of the events under investigation to come forward and share that knowledge with the Inquiry. 

Important Information – Please Read Carefully
Please be aware that evidence provided to the Inquiry is not protected by any form of privilege.  Accordingly, you must not defame any person, breach any obligation of confidentiality that you may owe to a third party or incriminate yourself in any way. 

The Inquiry does not intend to publish written statements received, and oral evidence will be heard in private.  You should be aware, however, that the Inquiry reserves the right to:

  • name all (or any) of those individuals and organisations who have provided statements, information or other evidence to it; and
  • refer to, attribute and quote from written statements and evidence provided to it in its Report. 

In addition the Inquiry may be required, by law, to disclose information it holds to third parties.  In short, the Inquiry cannot, and does not, guarantee that information provided by you will be kept confidential. 

If you have any concerns about the evidence that you wish to share with the Inquiry you should take legal advice before doing so. 

Provision of Written Statements
Individuals who have knowledge of any of the events leading up to, during and immediately following the removal of those occupying the Hetherington Research Club building (Hetherington House) are invited (and encouraged) to provide written statements together with any supporting documentary evidence to the Inquiry. 

To assist with the collation of evidence all statements should be provided in the form attached [Form of Written Statement ].  The form is divided into two parts:

Part 1 -Contact details it is imperative that you provide your full name, address and contact details in order that the Inquiry may contact you.  The Inquiry may also wish to verify your identity in due course.

Part 2 - Statement of Facts your statement should give your recollection of events that you have direct knowledge of.  Please feel free to explain your own actions in response to those events. 

Whilst there is no limit on the length of your statement please be as concise as possible.   

Written statements should be signed and sent, together with any supporting documentary evidence, by post on or before 13 May 2011 to the following address:

The Hetherington Inquiry (Ref: LCW)
c/o Dundas & Wilson CS LLP
191 West George Street
Glasgow
G2 2LD 

Whilst not essential it would also greatly assist the Inquiry if soft copies could be sent by email to the following email address: hetherington.inquiry@dundas-wilson.com.

If you require assistance in preparing your written statement please send an email to hetherington.inquiry@dundas-wilson.com with the subject “Written Statement – Request for Assistance”.  Please provide your name, address and a contact telephone number.  You will be contacted shortly thereafter to arrange a suitable time and place for you to be interviewed and for your statement to be taken.  Shortly after the interview you will be sent a transcript for review.  Provided that you agree that it is an accurate record of your views you will be asked to sign and return the statement to the Inquiry in a pre-paid envelope. 

Hearing Evidence
Once the Inquiry has reviewed all statements and documentary evidence received you may be asked to provide further oral evidence to the Inquiry, for example, in order to clarify a particular issue.  Please be aware, however, that the provision of a written statement does not mean that you will necessarily be asked to give evidence to the Inquiry.  Further information regarding the hearing of evidence will be published in due course.

Laurence Ward
Clerk to the Inquiry
14 April 2011

First published: 14 April 2011

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