AFTER the collapse of the £3 million Matrix Churchill trial, the Prime Minister, Mr Major, asked Sir Richard Scott, who has a reputation for fairness and independence, to investigate the affair.
Sir Richard made his name in the Spy catcher case when in a robust judgment he ruled against the government's attempt to block publication of the former MI5 officer Peter Wright's memoirs in the British media.
He has also criticised the government's care in the community programme for denying clothing benefits to a mental patient after being released from 27 years of psychiatric care.
During his inquiry Sir Richard was painstakingly fair, hearing oral evidence, accepting written submissions and producing a draft report before delivering his final conclusions.
However, ministers must have known they were not going to have an "easy ride" as Sir Richard made it clear from the outset that he was not impressed by the arrogance of certain ministers and the procedures of closed government.