Crash dad wants judicial review

Emily Webster was one of seven people to die in the crash

The father of a Devon schoolgirl who died in a rail crash has hit out after being refused legal aid to hire a barrister for his daughter's inquest.

Peter Webster has campaigned for better rail safety since the accident which killed seven people near Reading, Berkshire, on 6 November last year.

His 14-year-old daughter Emily from Doccombe was one of the victims.

He has described the decision as "crazy and unnecessary" and said he had applied a judicial review.

Emily died after the high-speed London to Plymouth train hit a car on a level crossing at Ufton Nervet.

Six weeks ago at a pre-inquest hearing, the coroner agreed with Peter Webster that further reports from Network Rail, the Rail Safety and Standards Board and First Great Western were needed on the grounds the information was in the public interest.

It was such a traumatic event for me Peter Webster

Mr Webster's solicitors applied for legal aid on his behalf, but it was refused by the Lord Chancellor on the grounds of public interest.

Mr Webster told BBC News the inquest would be a chance for the families to find some answers, but he felt it was necessary to have properly trained legal representatives to ask the right questions.

He said: "I can't imagine why he's arguing in terms of public interest unless it's cost in some way, unless the state shouldn't, in some way, fund legal aid for this type of thing."

Mr Webster's solicitors have now applied for a judicial review against the Lord Chancellor's decision. The process could take several months.

Mr Webster insists he is not ready to abandon his campaign for better rail safety.