Inquest into the death of Leonard Farruku concludes

Yesterday, His Majesty’s Senior Coroner, Rachael Griffin, handed down her conclusions in the inquest into the death of Leonard Farruku.

Leonard had come to the UK in August 2022 and claimed asylum. He was initially housed in hotel accommodation in Torbay before being moved to the Bibby Stockholm barge in November 2023. He was found dead aboard the barge in December 2023.

The inquest hearing lasted over 3 weeks in Bournemouth and was heard by His Majesty’s Senior Coroner sitting alone. The inquest considered, amongst other things,  what was known about Leonard’s mental health and how information was shared by agencies responsible for housing Leonard during his time in the UK.

After hearing substantive legal argument, His Majesty’s Senior Coroner concluded that Article 2 was not engaged. She identified missed opportunities by the Home Office and the NHS Trust but concluded that such missed opportunities were not systemic nor causative of Leonard’s death. She did not consider it necessary to make a Prevention of Future Deaths report.

His Majesty’s Senior Coroner did not identify any failings or missed opportunities on the part of Stay Belvedere Hotels Ltd., Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd., or Devon and Cornwall Police.

His Majesty’s Senior Coroner concluded that Leonard died as a result of suicide.

The inquest has received significant media attention, including: BBC, Sky News, the Guardian, and the Independent.

Samantha Leek KC was instructed on behalf of Stay Belvedere Hotels Ltd.

Francesca Whitelaw KC and Lissy Verrall-Withers were instructed on behalf of Clearsprings Ready Homes Ltd.

Mark Thomas was instructed on behalf of Devon and Cornwall Police.