5.—(1) The chairman may designate a person as a core participant at any time during the course of the inquiry, provided that person consents to being so designated.
(2) In deciding whether to designate a person as a core participant, the chairman must in particular consider whether—
(a)the person played, or may have played, a direct and significant role in relation to the matters to which the inquiry relates;
(b)the person has a significant interest in an important aspect of the matters to which the inquiry relates; or
(c)the person may be subject to explicit or significant criticism during the inquiry proceedings or in the report, or in any interim report.
(3) A person ceases to be a core participant on—
(a)the date specified by the chairman in writing; or
(b)the end of the inquiry.