30-03-2012, 12:54 PM
MI6 death: Gareth Williams inquest examines locked bag
Quote:An inquest into the death of an MI6 officer is to examine whether the spy was able to lock himself into a sports bag in which his body was found.
Gareth Williams, 31, originally from Anglesey, was found in a padlocked bag at his London flat in August 2010.
Whether he locked the bag from inside is at the "heart" of the case, Westminster Coroner's Court heard.
Two experts agree it would be difficult if not impossible for him to lock the bag, a pre-inquest hearing was told.
Coroner Fiona Wilcox told the hearing she would like a practical demonstration in court of how a person could get into a sports bag and lock it up from inside.
Family lawyer, Anthony O'Toole, told the court that a post-mortem examination was ineffective because the body was so decomposed.
Dr Wilcox also said that a Mediterranean couple sought by police over Mr Williams's death was a "red herring".
The inquest will hear from Mr Williams's colleagues from MI6 and the GCHQ, toxicology experts and bag expert as well as a statement from his sister.