A LAWYER acting for relatives of the Clapham rail disaster victims was
stopped from questioning a signal worker yesterday.
Mr Michael Spencer demanded to know whether senior signals technician
Mr Brian Hemingway was expecting to go back to work.
He also asked him whether he was remorseful or upset.
But the chairman of the crash inquiry, Mr Anthony Hidden QC, stepped
in before Mr Hemingway could answer and said the questions were
''inappropriate''.
Earlier Mr Hemingway, 40, had repeatedly denied ''shoddy'' workmanship
on the loose wire which the inquiry has heard made a stationary train
''invisible'' to the signalling system. This caused the crash which
killed 35 people.
Mr Hemingway's counsel, Mr Jeremy McMullen, questioned him on the
matters raised by Mr Spencer.
He asked Mr Hemingway if he was a Roman Catholic and had discussed the
disaster with his priest.
''From the first day I went home after the accident,'' said Mr
Hemingway.
He was asked: ''Do you feel regret or remorse after the link in the
chain of events which you have admitted was a mistake?''
Mr Hemingway said: ''Very much so. I haven't had a night's sleep yet
since the accident, not a full night's sleep.''
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