13 February 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Supreme Court ruling welcomed by rights organisations

Press Release by: INQUEST
8th February 2012

Hospitals must ensure that they take appropriate steps to prevent voluntary psychiatric patients from taking their own lives, according to a landmark judgment handed down today by the Supreme Court.

The unanimous ruling, which has been welcomed by leading mental health and human rights organisations, held that Pennine Care NHS Trust had a duty under article 2 of the European Convention on Human Rights to protect the right to life of Melanie Rabone, and failed in this duty when she took her own life in April 2005.

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind said:

Today’s judgment recognises that a positive duty is owed towards patients with mental health problems at times when they are most at risk of harm. The law now applies whether or not a patient has been formally detained.

10 February 201217 December 2022 4WardEverUK

UFFC discuss custody deaths on BBC West Midlands topical news show

Tippa Naphtali of the United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC) spoke on behalf of families all over the country when he was invited onto the Joe Aldred Show, a popular current affairs programme produced by BBC West Midlands.

Tippa is also the founder of 4WardEver UK and a cousin of Mikey Powell from Birmingham, UK who was killed in the custody of West Midlands police in September 2003.

The United Families & Friends Campaign (UFFC) is a coalition of families and friends of those that have died in the custody of police and prison officers as well as those who died in psychiatric and immigration detention. It also has members and supporters from campaign groups and advocacy organisations from across the UK.

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20 September 201116 December 2022 4WardEverUK

Pilkington deaths: no charges against police

originally by: Hodge Jones & Allen
published: date unknown

Leicestershire Police announce that they will bring no charges against police officers in relation to their conduct leading up to the tragic deaths of Fiona Pilkington and Francecca Hardwick. Their misconduct investigation, which was recommended by the Independent Police Complaints Commission, has concluded with charges being “unproven” against four officers.

Solicitor acting for the family, Jocelyn Cockburn of Hodge Jones & Allen, has said:

“The Leicestershire Police decision has come as a shock to the family. I have tried to find out the reasons for throwing out the misconduct charges but have come up against a brick wall.