The Government has announced that there is to be an independent inquiry into the BSE crisis, led by senior judge Lord Justice Phillips.

He will decide whether or not the inquiry is to be held in public.

There are parallels with the investigation into arms sales to Iraq presided over by Sir Richard Scott.

Like the Scott Report - which took evidence from 200 witnesses, sat for 430 hours and sifted through 200,000 pages of documents - it raises the prospect of former ministers being questioned and their decisions dissected.

Lord Justice Phillips will not initially have the power to compel witnesses to attend, but the Agriculture Minister, Jack Cunningham, has hinted that he would look favourably on a request from the judge to call reluctant witnesses.

Lady Thatcher, John Major and Lord Callaghan could be asked to give evidence.

Lord Justice Phillips, who presided over the complicated Barlow Clowes and Maxwell trials, is known for pioneering the use of computer technology in the courtroom.

He is well-known in his chambers for using a bicycle - and wearing a crash helmet - to get to and from court.

Born Nicholas Addison Phillips, the 59-year-old judge was educated at Bryanston School and Cambridge and was called to the Bar in 1962.

He dealt in shipping and Admiralty matters before taking silk in 1978.

In 1982, he chaired the public inquiry into the European Gateway ferry disaster and in 1987 he became a judge.

He is married with two daughters and two step-children.
 

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