52 Years On, AG Denies New Summerland Inquest

The Isle of Man’s Attorney General has refused an application for a fresh inquest into the 1973 Summerland fire disaster, denying survivors and bereaved families a renewed legal examination of one of the island’s darkest days.

The application, submitted in March by Phoenix Law on behalf of the Justice for Summerland campaign group, argued that the original 1974 inquests were ‘ineffective and perfunctory’ and claimed there had ‘never been an effective investigation into the fire’.

In a detailed response addressed to Phoenix Law, Attorney General Walter Wannenburgh KC said he could not conclude that fresh inquests were ‘desirable’ under the Coroners of Inquests Act 1987, citing a lack of fresh evidence.

Mr Wannenburgh acknowledged the emotional weight of the decision, stating: ‘The Summerland fire was a terrible tragedy for the people of this island and beyond and which resonates to this day.

‘Fifty innocent people tragically lost their lives as a result of the blaze, and far more suffered serious physical and psychological injuries.’

However, he emphasised that his decision was based on legal considerations, including whether new evidence had emerged or if the original inquests had been insufficient.

He pointed to the extensive 1974 Summerland Fire Commission, a public inquiry which took evidence from over 90 witnesses across 49 sitting days. That inquiry uncovered serious failings in the venue’s design, construction, and safety protocols.

Responding to the campaign group’s claims of new information, Mr Wannenburgh wrote: ‘Your client has not presented any fresh evidence that reveals any relevant or material errors or misunderstanding in the detailed findings of the Summerland Commission Report.’

He further described any speculation about new insights as ‘conjecture’.

The Justice for Summerland group had also criticised the original verdicts of ‘misadventure’, calling them ‘offensive’ to victims and their families.

Addressing this, the Attorney General stated: ‘A finding of misadventure does not at all place any blame for their death upon the deceased.’

He concluded: ‘Taking all of the circumstances into account, and considering the breadth and depth of the investigation which was conducted at the time, I cannot conclude that it is desirable to now conduct fresh inquests.

‘I am sorry not to be able to communicate more welcome news.’