No More Deaths: Inquest Calls For An End To Preventable Deaths At Labour Party Conference
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10 October 2024
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From left to right: Richard Caseby, campaigner and father of Matthew Caseby, Natasha Elcock, Chair of Grenfell United, Deborah Coles, Director of INQUEST, Attorney General Richard Hermer, Emma Jones and Martin Day of Leigh Day.
On Sunday 22nd September, INQUEST and Leigh Day held a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference to amplify our call for government action to prevent state-related deaths.
Attendees of our event heard from Natasha Elcock (Chair of Grenfell United), Richard Caseby (bereaved father and campaigner), Joe Powell MP, Attorney General Richard Hermer, Emma Jones (Leigh Day) and Deborah Coles (INQUEST), in a discussion chaired by Martyn Day (Leigh Day).
The event focused on how inquests and public inquiries should lead to change and improvement following death. Instead, the current accountability gap leaves bereaved families unaware of what, if any, action is taken in response to official recommendations.
The panel reiterated calls on the government to establish a National Oversight Mechanism, a new independent public body to ensure that recommendations arising from these post-death investigations are prioritised and acted upon.
The Attorney General, Richard Hermer, said "the value to victims is undercut every day that the learnings [from investigations] are not implemented."
Natasha Elcock spoke powerfully about bereaved families and the Grenfell community who have campaigned for “truth, justice and change… so no-one will go through what we went through, no subsequent deaths and nothing that is completely avoidable happens again.”
In calling for a National Oversight Mechanism, Natasha said it would “stop us having to go on the merry-go-round of the system… The Government need to sit up and take notice and realise that like me, like the Hillsborough families, like others in the room and for anyone else who’s had to fight, someone must be held to account.”
Richard Caseby, whose son Matthew Caseby died following failures at a Priory Hospital, spoke about the lack of accountability. He said
“Unless a family or a lawyer or a charity makes enough noise and impact there is absolutely no guarantee of any change. Culpable organisations and corporations slide away from responsibility.”
Richard highlighted the need to “close the gap in accountability from recommendations made to actions completed… That will only happen if there is this oversight body.”
Audience members spoke of their personal experiences with recommendations and lack of accountability following inquests into gambling, housing and healthcare related deaths.
The event highlighted that the call for a National Oversight Mechanism is needed now more than ever.
Campaigners and bereaved family members spoke of their sometimes decade-long struggle for recognition of the injustice done to them. They also shared learning with each other about strategies that worked for their campaigning organisations.
“This is the result of the incredible power of families standing together to demand justice accountability and change.We hold in our thoughts those who have been killed or harmed by the state.”
– Deborah Coles
Make a Donation
Every year, INQUEST supports hundreds of families bereaved by deaths involving the state. We are independent of government and entirely reliant on grants and donations to continue our vital work.
Support us and bereaved families in the fight for truth, justice and accountability by becoming a regular donor today.
No More Deaths: Inquest Calls For An End To Preventable Deaths At Labour Party Conference
On Sunday 22nd September, INQUEST and Leigh Day held a fringe event at the Labour Party Conference to amplify our call for government action to prevent state-related deaths.
Attendees of our event heard from Natasha Elcock (Chair of Grenfell United), Richard Caseby (bereaved father and campaigner), Joe Powell MP, Attorney General Richard Hermer, Emma Jones (Leigh Day) and Deborah Coles (INQUEST), in a discussion chaired by Martyn Day (Leigh Day).
The event focused on how inquests and public inquiries should lead to change and improvement following death. Instead, the current accountability gap leaves bereaved families unaware of what, if any, action is taken in response to official recommendations.
The panel reiterated calls on the government to establish a National Oversight Mechanism, a new independent public body to ensure that recommendations arising from these post-death investigations are prioritised and acted upon.
The Attorney General, Richard Hermer, said "the value to victims is undercut every day that the learnings [from investigations] are not implemented."
Natasha Elcock spoke powerfully about bereaved families and the Grenfell community who have campaigned for “truth, justice and change… so no-one will go through what we went through, no subsequent deaths and nothing that is completely avoidable happens again.”
In calling for a National Oversight Mechanism, Natasha said it would “stop us having to go on the merry-go-round of the system… The Government need to sit up and take notice and realise that like me, like the Hillsborough families, like others in the room and for anyone else who’s had to fight, someone must be held to account.”
Richard Caseby, whose son Matthew Caseby died following failures at a Priory Hospital, spoke about the lack of accountability. He said
Richard highlighted the need to “close the gap in accountability from recommendations made to actions completed… That will only happen if there is this oversight body.”
Audience members spoke of their personal experiences with recommendations and lack of accountability following inquests into gambling, housing and healthcare related deaths.
The event highlighted that the call for a National Oversight Mechanism is needed now more than ever.
The following day, INQUEST joined an event held by Campaign Lab which brought together campaigners from Hillsborough Family Support Group, Covid-19 Bereaved for Justice UK, Grenfell United, Truth about Zane and Hacked Off.
Campaigners and bereaved family members spoke of their sometimes decade-long struggle for recognition of the injustice done to them. They also shared learning with each other about strategies that worked for their campaigning organisations.
We ended our time at Conference with the Hillsborough Law Now Campaign coalition and welcomed the Prime Minister’s commitment to bringing forward a Hillsborough Law by April 2025.
– Deborah Coles
Make a Donation
Every year, INQUEST supports hundreds of families bereaved by deaths involving the state. We are independent of government and entirely reliant on grants and donations to continue our vital work.
Support us and bereaved families in the fight for truth, justice and accountability by becoming a regular donor today.
Donate now
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We campaign for a National Oversight Mechanism to ensure life-saving recommendations made following inquests and inquiries are acted on and further deaths are prevented.
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