Sir Oliver Bury Popplewell ( born 15 August 1927 , Northwood , Middlesex ) , is a former British judge and cricket player . He chaired the inquiry into the Bradford City stadium fire , presided over the libel case brought by Jonathan Aitken MP against '' The Guardian '' newspaper which eventually led to Aitken 's imprisonment for perjury , and was widely reported for asking " What is Linford 's lunchbox ? " during a case over which he was presiding , brought by Linford Christie . He played first-class cricket for Cambridge University and was president of the Marylebone Cricket Club from 1994-96 . He wrote a book about his legal career
Bradford City stadium fire
Bradford City stadium fire
Oliver Popplewell