A coroner who was criticised by Home Secretary David Blunkett has apologised again to the mothers of two teenage girls killed in Birmingham.

Birmingham coroner Aidan Cotter said at an inquest into the death of Charlene Ellis on Thursday the black community should "pay back" for the tolerance it had been shown.

At the opening of the inquest into the death of 17-year-old Latisha Shakespeare on Friday he apologised for the remarks.

The detective leading the hunt for the killers also appealed for more help from the public.

Mr Cotter appealed to the black community

Mr Cotter addressed his comments at the hearing to Latisha's mother Marcia and Beverley Thomas, the mother of Miss Ellis.

He said: "Let me say to you, those words were badly chosen and inappropriate.

"I am sorry about the upset that has been caused. I am mainly sorry because I suspect that they added to your grief.

"You and Beverley have both lost a daughter. I have a daughter, I cannot begin to imagine the grief that you are suffering.

"If my daughter died, I don't know how I would cope. The very last thing I wanted to do is to add to your grief and that of Beverley."

The two girls were shot dead after attending a party at a hairdressing salon in the Aston area of the city.

Friday's inquest was adjourned until a date to be fixed.

Given protection

On Thursday, Mr Cotter said Birmingham had been dedicated to accommodating people of all cultures and religions and it was now time for the black community to "pay back" by providing police with information.

His remarks were criticised by Mr Blunkett who said everybody should be careful with their choice of language.

Detective Superintendent Dave Mirfield said outside the coroners court on Friday they were making slow progress with the case because people were not prepared to be identified.

"People are scared, lets not put this into a race context, but whatever murder takes place, people are worried about giving evidence to the police.

"Even in court they will be protected, they will be screened in court."