Grace Oyewole QC for the defendant
So Mr. Elmys broke off your relationship a year before you started investigating him?
Harriet Kealty
Yes.
Grace Oyewole QC
And yet you felt it appropriate to proceed with an investigation for which you had no official authority? Not even a private commission.
Roger Sumption QC for the Crown Prosecution Service
It is my turn to rise and remind my learned friend of the rules.
Justice Thomas
I see no reason for you to be on your feet. The question is pertinent to the matter at hand.
Grace Oyewole QC
Thank you, my Lord.
Harriet Kealty
I was worried about the child. If Mr. Elmys had a role in what happened to the boy’s parents…
Grace Oyewole QC
Events that were investigated to the satisfaction of not one but two police forces in England and Wales. Are you sure you didn’t have a personal motive for pursuing the investigation?
Harriet Kealty
My motive was the truth. It’s always been the truth.
Grace Oyewole QC
Commendable, I’m sure. So you don’t feel your personal relationship with my client tainted your feelings towards him?
Harriet Kealty
No.
Grace Oyewole QC
And what about your feelings towards DS Khan?
Harriet Kealty
Sabih? What do you mean?
Grace Oyewole QC
Did you blame him for the events that led to your dismissal from the Staffordshire Police?
Roger Sumption QC
My Lord, I rise with great reticence.
Grace Oyewole QC
We will have to come to these matters at some point, but if my learned friend feels now is not the time, I will oblige him by moving on.
Justice Thomas
Please do. For the sake of harmony, but you are right to say we must return to these matters.
Grace Oyewole QC
So, ignoring what some might have considered a conflict of interest, you continued your investigation. Where did you go next?
Harriet Kealty
I went to see Cynthia Hughes, the housekeeper. I thought she might be able to tell me more about the family and that she might share my concerns about the child’s welfare.