Alan Payne QC appears in first UK Inquest to consider whether “air pollution” may have been a possible cause of death

On Monday, Alan Payne QC began the second inquest into the death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah who could become the first person in the UK – and possibly in the world – to have "air pollution" listed as a cause of death. Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah the asthmatic nine-year-old  died in February 2013 of acute respiratory failure. The first inquest, which occurred in 2014, concluded that respiratory failure had possibly been triggered by "something in the air". In light of new evidence the ruling of the first inquest was quashed by the High Court, and this second inquest is now looking at the potential role of air-pollution in exacerbating her illness and the poor air quality near her home in London located near the South Circular. 

Alan is appearing on behalf of Defra and various other Government Departments. The inquest is listed to last two weeks.