Motion to Halt Glasgow Bin Lorry Crash Inquiry Dropped
An inquiry into the Glasgow bin lorry crash will continue after a motion to have proceedings adjourned was withdrawn by the family of one of the victims.
The development means driver Harry Clarke will likely give evidence to the fatal accident inquiry at Glasgow Sheriff Court.
Earlier this week, relatives of Jacqueline Morton, 51, who was killed in the crash, said they would seek to bring charges against Mr Clarke, 58, after prosecutors ruled out doing so.
Lawyers acting for her family requested that the inquiry into the December 22 tragedy be adjourned in order to seek authority to bring a rare private prosecution against him.
However Dorothy Bain QC, representing the family of Ms Morton, today told the inquiry, now in its fifth week, that they had withdrawn the motion to have the inquiry adjourned.
Ms Bain said: "May I say that the family are finding these proceedings stressful and most worrying and having regard to further discussions and understanding the other families positions, the Morton family are now not insisting on this motion.''
Mr Clarke was behind the wheel of the council refuse truck that veered out of control on a busy shopping street, killing Ms Morton, from Glasgow, and five others.
The inquiry has heard evidence that he has a history of dizzy spells and fainting which he failed to disclose to the DVLA and on job application forms.
Ms Bain added: "They feel it is in the best interests of everyone to conclude this inquiry without delay.
"The family's position on a private prosecution has not changed at all and they fully intend to continue with that.''
On Monday, the legal team representing the family of victim Gillian Ewing, 52, from Edinburgh, said they supported the motion for adjournment but relatives of 29-year-old Stephenie Tait, from Glasgow, said they would not be involved in any private prosecution.
Alistair Forsyth, advocate for the family of Ms Ewing, told the court that while he had supported the motion made by Ms Bain he would "not insist on making my own motion at this stage'' and backed its withdrawal.