Rhianan Rudd: Some MI5 material will not be heard in teen’s inquest

In written submissions, Mr Nicholls said Rhianan’s family “have not seen the closed sensitive material” withheld by MI5, so could not assess its relevance to the inquest’s scope.

Neil Sheldon KC, representing the Home Office and MI5, said: “The fact that we have got the decision we have reached is the result, as you know, of the rigorous and thorough process that you and your legal team have undertaken in reviewing in conjunction with MI5 the closed sensitive material.

“The fact we have reached a decision in which no application for PII is necessary is a reflection of the thoroughness and rigorousness of that process, not any deficiency.

“There is no cause for concern or alarm on the part of the family or anybody else.”

Judge Durran granted anonymity in the inquest to a senior MI5 officer involved in Rhianan’s case, provisionally called Witness A, on the basis that identifying them would put them and their family at serious risk.

The full inquest into Rhianan’s death will begin on 27 February at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court and is expected to last three weeks.

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