London, Feb 1 : Amy Winehouse's inquest may be deemed illegal, as the qualifications of the coroner who conducted it have come under a cloud.

Suzanne Greenaway had been appointed to the role of assistant deputy coroner by her husband. She recorded a verdict of misadventure after the `singer, 27, died of alcohol poisoning at her London home last year.

But officials confirmed on Tuesday that Greenaway resigned in November after it was alleged she did not meet strict rules governing the appointment of coroners.

A top-level probe was also launched into the conduct of her husband, Inner North London Coroner Dr Andrew Scott Reid, the Sun reported.

Rules state she could only be appointed if she had been in the Law Society as a solicitor for at least five years. But she only joined two-and-a-half years ago.

The law also requires her to have five years as a "qualified medical practitioner".

But she only qualified only as a nurse in her native Australia and worked as a lawyer there. Potentially, every one of the 30 or so inquests she presided over could be declared illegal.

However, officials insist this will only happen if verdicts are challenged in the High Court.

"In November it became apparent I''d made an error in the appointment process. While I am confident that all of the inquests handled were done so correctly, I apologise if this matter causes distress," said Dr Scott Reid. (ANI)