THE brother of a woman killed by her husband today welcomed a radical shake-up to the coroner inquest system.

Frank Mullane, pictured, said new legislation planned by the government would provide better support for grieving families.

Mr Mullane's sister, Julie, and 17-year-old nephew Will Pemberton, were shot dead by Julie's estranged husband.

The pair were murdered at their £1m home near Newbury by Alan Pemberton who then shot himself.

Mr Mullane has branded the inquest into the double killing as "wholly inadequate".

Under plans unveiled in Parliament yesterday, grieving relatives would be able to ask for a "second opinion" on death certificates under plans to reform the coroners' system in England and Wales.

Constitutional Affairs Minister Harriet Harman said families frequently got overlooked in the inquest process.

The changes would make being a coroner a full-time job and relatives would have a right to contribute to the investigations. Welcoming the proposals, Mr Mullane said that the changes will mean that people will have the power to challenge the system.