Jeremy Corbyn has expressed ‘serious concerns’ about the so-called “cab rank” queue at the coroner’s court

LABOUR leader Jeremy Corbyn has joined calls for coroner’s court reform to speed up burials for Jewish and Muslim families who say their religious beliefs are being compromised by a first come, first served system.

Islington North MP Mr Corbyn and his counterpart in the south of the borough, Emily Thornberry, have written to the chief coroner to express “serious concerns” about the so-called “cab rank” queue for dealing with cases.

Inner North London coroner Mary Hassell has faced months of pressure from communities whose faiths require fast burials.

The MPs’ letter – also signed by Richard Watts, Islington’s Labour council leader – said there had been “unnecessary delays and barriers”.

It added: “Coroner Hassell’s approach goes against our Jewish and Muslim residents’ faith and is preventing them from grieving for their lost loved ones.”

The coroner’s service at St Pancras deals with deaths in Islington and three other boroughs. The connecting court examines unexplained deaths, holding inquests in cases that need further clarity

“Islington is a diverse community that is home to people of many faiths, which they should be free to practise without unnecessary bureaucracy,” the letter said.

Inner North London coroner Mary Hassell 

“There are a number of fundamental traditions and practices surrounding death in the Jewish and Muslim communities, particularly relating to the speed of burial and watching over the deceased. Unfortunately, Coroner Hassell has repeatedly gone against families’ wishes, meaning that these important practices cannot be observed as they should be.”

Meanwhile, a High Court judge has also granted an application for a judicial review of the policy after complaints from the Jewish Adath Yisroel Burial Society.

The case, brought to court by legal representative Trevor Asserson, will be heard in late March.

Chief coroner Judge Mark Lucraft QC will be participating in proceedings “in a manner which he considers to be constructive”, his spokesman confirmed, and could therefore not comment further on the matter before then.

Similar protests have been seen in neighbouring Camden where a Labour cabinet councillor recently suggested that Ms Hassell should move to an area with “less faith sensitivies”.

A spokeswoman for Ms Hassell said she could not comment.

A copy of a previous response she has given to objectors – obtained by the Tribune – states that she is “very familiar with the Jewish and Muslim religions’ teachings” and “always take these into account”.

Ms Hassell added: “There is a difference between being sensitive to faith wishes, and prioritising one person over another because of their religion.

“The coronial area of Inner North London contains the greatest concentration of Orthodox Jewish people in Europe, and the office of HM Coroner is here to serve that community, but not only that community.”