Witness taken into custody during inquest

A witness giving evidence in the case of missing Hobart woman Lucille Butterworth has been taken into custody on the order of the coroner.

Retired journalist and private investigator Paul Tapp was led out of the court room by police on Monday after repeatedly refusing to answer questions and raising the ire of coroner Simon Cooper.

"I've formed the view that you are being deliberately obstructive," Mr Cooper said to Mr Tapp as he called on police.