Lawyers for bereaved relatives say ‘serious failings’ in rescue operation may have contributed to deaths
The government has agreed to launch a full investigation into the drowning of at least 27 people trying to cross the Channel in a small boat last November.
The decision by the transport secretary, Grant Shapps, to agree to what is known as an article 2 inquiry – an independent investigation – is revealed in correspondence between his lawyers and eight relatives of 11 of the victims.
