Sun 10 Mar 2013 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
Corporal Douglas "Dougie" Hughes The mother of Corporal Douglas Hughes has written to the Solicitor-General formally requesting an inquest into his death. Venus Poa wants Michael Heron to use his powers under the Coroners Act to order an inquest into the circumstances of her son's death in Afghanistan in April last year. Corporal Hughes took his own life, and his family say he was struggling with his sexuality, felt he had been bullied and harassed about it, and had just been harshly rejected by a soldier he had feelings for. Coroner Gordon Matenga declined to open an inquest because he was satisfied the death had been dealt with by a Defence Force Court of Inquiry – which is suppressed. The Solicitor-General’s office has confirmed the letter has been received and is promising to carry out a thorough review.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Sunday, 10th March 2013 - 10:17am