THE father of a 12-year-old boy who hanged himself in his York bedroom says he is planning to challenge a coroner’s handling of the inquest.

Mike Wilson said he was “very disappointed” by York Coroner Donald Coverdale’s decision not to read out a note left by Liam Cole before he died.

He said he was intending to lodge an appeal but was also planning to ask for a copy of the note to be given to him, claiming that as Liam’s biological father, he had the right to such materials.

The inquest heard last week that Liam was found hanging from the top of a cabin bunk bed at his home in Bramham Avenue, Chapelfields, in January.

Mr Coverdale told the inquest Liam, a pupil at York High School, had left a note, the contents of which were consistent with someone intending to take his life, and he recorded a verdict of suicide.

He said he was aware that a pressure group calling itself Justice For Liam – which is led by Mr Wilson – had been pressing for the note to be read out in full, but he could not be influenced by such groups.

He said did not believe divulging a personal note addressed to his mother would represent justice for Liam, or that the youngster would have wanted this to happen in a public arena, and for it to possibly be broadcast aloud.

He also said he was not prepared to read out the note because it was a personal message to Liam’s mother and would breach her and other’s right to privacy under article 8 of the Human Rights Act.

Mr Wilson said he would seek to argue that article 10 of the Act, protecting freedom of speech, was breached by the decision.

A spokesman for the Department of Justice said there were two possible options for anyone unhappy with the conduct of an inquest: it was possible for them to apply to the High Court for a judicial review, or they could apply under the Coroners Act to the Attorney General for a fresh inquest to be held.

Mr Coverdale said he gave his reasons for not reading the note aloud at the inquest.

“Unless it is successfully appealed, my decision stands,” he said.

“If Mr Wilson wishes to write to me about inquest documents, I will deal with his correspondence; in other respects, I will now be closing my file, the inquest process having been completed.”