The judge who presided at the 2011 inquest that returned a verdict of unlawful killing on newspaper seller Ian Tomlinson was today named as the first Chief Coroner of England & Wales.

The Ministry of Justice said that Peter Thornton QC will improve the coronial system by developing national standards to ensure that inquests are timely and effective, and that bereaved families are provided with the information and support they need throughout the process.

Justice secretary Kenneth Clarke, said: ‘The priority is to ensure coroners provide a high standard of service at what can be a difficult time for bereaved families. I am therefore giving the chief coroner the full range of powers to drive up standards, including thorough coroner training, and to tackle delays within the system.’

Thornton said: ‘The coroner system is of vital importance, both in identifying causes of death and in preventing future deaths. But as with any ancient and well-respected system there is room for improvement and development.

‘I will aim to provide quality and uniformity in the coroner system, with a national consistency of approach and standards between coroner areas. Openness, inclusiveness, thoroughness and fairness must be at the heart of this process if it is to be effective and serve the needs of the public.’

INQUEST, a charity that provides free advice to bereaved people, said the appointment ‘is the culmination of a lengthy battle to create and retain the post, which the government has already attempted - and failed - to abolish’.

Condemning what it described as an ‘archaic, unaccountable system’ it said the government has stated that the office of the chief coroner will, alongside other reforms, establish more effective, transparent and responsive justice and coroner services for victims, witnesses, bereaved families and the wider public’.

Thornton, who is to continue sitting in the Administrative Court to hear judicial reviews on coronial matters, will take up his new duties in September.