New Inquest Into Death Of Artist Refused

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30289, 15 November 1963, Page 9

New Inquest Into Death Of Artist Refused

(N.ZJ’.A .-Reuter—Copyright)

LONDON, November 14. The Lord Chief Justice ruled yesterday there was “not a shred of evidence” to justify a new inquest into the death of a British artist. Herman Woolf. Woolf’s death a year ago roused controversy and sharp criticism of London’s police. Woolf was taken into custody after having been knocked down by a motorcar on November 10, 1962, and he died 13 days later. Lord Parker ruled in the High Court there was no evidence of any incident involving the police that might have led Woolf to suffer any additional injury. An application by Mrs Margaret Woolf for a new inquest on her late husband was refused. An inquest last December returned a verdict of accidental death from brain injuries received in the car accident The 60-year-old artist was treated at a London hospital after being hurt in the accident He was then taken to a central London police station where he was charged with possessing Indian hemp. He later became ill, was returned to hospital, and was then moved to another where he died from a skull fracture on November 23. Wife Not Told Although Mrs Woolf reported her husband missing on November 16, she was not told until November 24 that he had been in hospital or was in fact dead. The circumstances of his

death, reported in “Private Eye,” elicited widespread press comment. Political controversy was aroused when a Labour member of Parliament, Mr Sidney Silverman, demanded on Mrs Woolfs behalf that a new inquest be held. He claimed there were many questions that needed “full investigation and adjudication.” He also criticised the police for instituting their own rather than an independent inquiry. Authority was given by the Home Secretary for an application for a new inquest. During the hearing of the application yesterday, counsel for the police reiterated the Metropolitan Police Commissioner’s apology to Mrs Woolf for an “administrative failure” which led to the delay in informing her of what had happened.