Amy Winehouse Inquest To Be Reheard

The inquest into the death of Amy Winehouse will be reheard after it emerged the original coroner was not eligible to deal with it.

Deputy Assistant Coroner Suzanne Greenaway recorded a verdict of misadventure after the Back To Black star was found dead at her north London home in July 2011 at the age of 27.

But it has now emerged that Ms Greenaway was not qualified to oversee the inquest.

Winehouse had a long history of drug and alcohol abuse and was found to have had five times the drink-drive limit of alcohol in her blood when she died.

The original inquest into her death heard that she had died after going on a drinking binge following a long period of not drinking.

St Pancras Coroner's Court heard that Winehouse turned to drink after kicking a drug habit in 2008. She had been taking drugs to stop her from drinking, but refused therapy.

Dr Christina Romete told the inquest: "She was one of the most intelligent young women I've ever met. She was very determined to do everything her way, including her therapy. She had very strict views on that."

Ms Greenaway was appointed to the role in July 2009 by her husband, Andrew Reid, who was the coroner for Inner North London, after she had worked as a solicitor and barrister in Australia.

But she stepped down in November when it emerged she did not have the requisite five years' experience in the Law Society.

Dr Reid resigned from his position this month after investigators found he had not "thoroughly" checked his wife had the requisite qualifications for the position.

Under British law, Ms Greenaway would have needed either five years with the Law Society or five years of experience as a qualified medical practitioner.

She met neither set criteria.

A spokesman for the Winehouse family said: "The family were happy with the way the original inquest was conducted and did not request it to be reheard.

"This seems to be a matter of procedure and the verdict is not expected to change."

The new hearing will be at St Pancras Coroner's Court on Tuesday, January 8.