Manner of proceedings etc.

Core participants4.

(1)

The chairman may designate a person as a core participant at any time during the course of the inquiry (but only with the consent of that person).

(2)

In deciding whether to designate a person as a core participant the chairman must have particular regard for the desirability of including as core participants persons who–

(a)

played, or may have played, a direct and significant role in relation to the matters to which the inquiry relates;

(b)

have a significant interest in an important aspect of the matters to which the inquiry relates; or

(c)

may be subject to significant or explicit criticism–

(i)

during the proceedings at the inquiry, or

(ii)

in the report (or any interim report) to be delivered under section 24 of the Act (submission of reports).

(3)

The chairman may, before the end of the inquiry, specify in writing that a person ceases to be a core participant.