FBU and Thompsons Solicitors support London family in coroner's inquest

The FBU and Thompsons Solicitors recently supported the family of Jaden Francois-Esprit, a firefighter at Wembley fire station who committed suicide in August 2020 after reports of bullying and harassment at work.

Commenting on the conclusion of the inquest earlier this week, Vincent Reynolds, the lawyer at Thompsons Solicitors who supported the family on behalf of the Fire Brigade’s Union, said:

“The conclusion of this inquest will provide scant consolation for Jaden’s family, who are continuing to come to terms with his death.

“An internal report at the London Fire Brigade pointed out incidents that fell below what would be acceptable within the Brigade’s own policies, for example incidents of harassment.

“The report sets out a number of recommendations, most notably for the Brigade to commission an external review. We are glad to see that the coroner herself has requested that those in power at the Brigade listen to the inquest in full and report on the appropriate policies they have developed so that people like Jaden feel confident to speak up.

“It is now up to the Brigade to act swiftly to make sure such a tragic incident doesn’t happen again.”

Matt Wrack, FBU general secretary, said: "Jaden's death was a tragedy that is mourned by his loved ones and by firefighters across the country. We hope that this ruling will bring some peace of mind to his family.

"All the issues identified by the Coroner need to be fully addressed and we will work to ensure that happens."

Linda Francois, Jaden’s mother, added: "Jaden’s death has devastated our family. The emotional wounds are still raw and things will never be the same without him.

"This isn’t an issue that the London Fire Brigade can kick into the long grass. There needs to be action: they need to take the recommendations seriously, as well as those from the HMICFRS in early 2020 which said the workplace culture needs to improve, not just for our sake but for other firefighters who might be feeling the same way.

"I have been able to draw strength from the support of others who have helped me – all of my family as well as those at the FBU and Thompsons Solicitors – but it will all be for nothing unless there is a genuine change at the Brigade."