Lampard Inquiry Families To Meet Essex MPs At Parliament
Families involved in the Lampard Inquiry are to meet Essex MPs at the House of Commons on Monday 10 February to discuss concerns and gather support.
Melanie Leahy, whose son Matthew died in 2012, whilst in the care of The North Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, and Julia Hopper, whose son Christopher died in 2020 whilst in the care of Essex Partnership University Trust, organised the event with the support of Southend and Rochford MP Bayo Alaba.
Monday’s meeting with Essex MPs has been called by Melanie and Julia to bring more awareness of the inquiry to the MPs in the hope of gaining more parliamentary support from them.
Some families who have not been given core participant status at the inquiry, will also be in attendance.
MPs who will be attending are: Bayo Alaba, Pam Cox, James McMurdock, David Burton Sampson, Jen Craft, Chris Vince and Alex Burghart.
Melanie Leahy said: “It has taken twelve years of campaigning to secure the first statutory public inquiry into the mental health system here in Essex. It is imperative that our MPs come out in support and vital we get the truth and justice we have been waiting so long for. Without it, none of us will see any changes for future patients.”
Julia Hopper said: “It is crucial that we have the support of our Essex MPs so that they can help ensure that this important inquiry delivers the truth for so many families who have lost loved ones at the hand of Essex Mental Health Services over the years.”
Nina Ali, partner at Hodge Jones & Allen Solicitors which represents more than 120 families at the inquiry, said: “Having the support of MPs to both ensure the smooth running of the inquiry and to be able to ask questions in the House of Commons is of fundamental importance.”
The meeting will be held at 11am on Monday 10 February at Portcullis House.
