Community urged to sign coroner petition

All sections of the North Kirklees community are being urged to sign a petition protesting about Muslim burial delays.

By The Newsroom

Published 18th Feb 2013, 11:57 BST

Forms are being circulated to organisations and mosques amid anger about West Yorkshire Coroner Dr Peter Straker.

Furious families claim Dr Straker has been holding up ceremonies by ordering too many post mortems. Under Islam, funerals should take place within 24 hours of death if possible.

Signed petitions should be returned to Batley’s Al-Hikmah Centre by February 22.

The Indian Muslim Welfare Society is writing to the Chief Coroner on the issue, and also Bradford City Council, which appointed Dr Straker last summer. Dr Straker is currently suspended from duties while the Office for Judicial Complaints investigates allegations about his work.

An Office for the Judicial Complaints spokesman said a number of complaints had been received against the coroner.