PARLIAMENTARY EARLY DAY MOTION
Independent Panel Inquiry into the death of Zane Gbangbola (1 February 2024)

That this House notes that the Post Office Horizon scandal has reemphasised the need for a Hillsborough Law; acknowledges that more tragedies would benefit from a duty of candour on public servants and a parity of arms; supports the call for an independent panel inquiry with full powers to compel disclosure into the death of seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola, who died during floods in 2014 from poisoning by hydrogen cyanide detected by Fire Services HAZMAT; further notes that Zane’s family home was adjacent to likely contaminated landfill from which floodwater flowed and which necessitated the area being evacuated; notes that the coroner ruled Zane died after inhaling carbon monoxide from a petrol-powered pump hired by his parents to clear water from the basement, despite no carbon monoxide being detected; observes that Zane's father is paralysed from hydrogen cyanide poisoning; commends the family’s decade-long campaign following Zane’s death; is concerned that victims and bereaved in this case have been blamed, abused and scapegoated; reflects on the lack of proper investigation and the masses of evidence undisclosed or ignored and a flawed judicial outcome; notes that Zane’s family were refused legal aid for his inquest, whilst legal support for public officials was paid from the public purse and the coroner received legal aid; and calls on Government to urgently establish an independent panel inquiry so that all evidence can be reviewed by experts and the truth about what really happened to an innocent seven-year-old boy can finally be told, heard and recorded.

Sponsored by:
Ian Byrne (Independent)