MPs hear calls for independent body to enforce inquest recommendations

MPs are hearing evidence about the need for an independent body to enforce recommendations made by public inquiries and inquests, ITV reported. According to the channel, there is currently no independent agency tasked with ensuring such recommendations are carried out. ITV also reported that several families were giving evidence, all with different stories but agreeing that a national oversight mechanism is vital to prevent repeated tragedies.

ITV reported that 15-year-old Gabriel Sanha died after falling from a multi-storey car park in Liverpool six years ago. According to ITV, his family is convinced that his death could have been avoided if previous warnings had been heeded and the height of rooftop barriers increased.

In an interview with ITV before giving evidence to MPs, Gabriel's father, Johnny Sanha, said he knew 'categorically' that his son's death was preventable. ITV reported that he linked it to the death of Ahmad Khan in almost identical circumstances in 2012, and said a coroner at a Sheffield inquest was minded to produce a prevention of future death report in 2014. According to ITV, the car park operator ignored the recommendations and took no action for another six years before Gabriel fell.

In the ITV interview, Johnny Sanha said he had spent the last six years tirelessly fighting for justice, truth and accountability while his wife was end of life with metastatic breast cancer, and that he had remortgaged his house. ITV reported that he described the situation as not right.

Along with the charity Inquest, he is asking for a national oversight mechanism. ITV reported that he said the inquest and inquiry system was 'broken beyond repair' and called for a new public independent body able to make life-saving recommendations and implement change effectively.

ITV reported that Maria Eagle, his local MP, had introduced a multi-storey car park safety bill. In the ITV interview, Johnny Sanha said he hoped MPs and the Justice Select Committee would listen to the lived evidence of bereaved families and communities.