THE coroner at the Hillsborough disaster inquest apologised to the jury yesterday for a delay in loss of earnings payments from the Ministry of Justice.

Seven women and three men, sitting in Warrington, did not receive their reimbursement at the end of last week — understood to be as a result of “administrative change” at the government department.

Lord Justice Goldring added that it was “indefensible” that it happened without warning.

Before the start of yesterday’s evidence, the coroner said: “As you will know, we here had no idea until it happened. I want to emphasise this.

“It is no reflection upon our view on the importance — the fundamental importance — of your role.

“I know I speak for each of the interested parties when I say how much we appreciate what you are doing and the effect on your lives of sitting on the jury.

“I just want to say that and say it publicly.”

The jury was selected last April for the inquest into Britain’s worst sporting disaster and is scheduled to finish early next year.

The jurors have now received the outstanding payment.