A non-statutory inquiry has been announced into the death of 7-year-old Zane Gbangbola, who died in 2014 floods in Chertsey, Surrey. The inquiry will be led by Dr Sandie Okoro OBE and will examine the circumstances of Zane's death, the response of public services, and the treatment of his family afterwards.
The announcement comes after years of campaigning by Zane's parents, Nicole Lawler and Kye Gbangbola, who disputed the results of a 2016 inquest that attributed Zane's death to carbon monoxide poisoning. They believe their son was killed by gas washed out from a former landfill site.
The inquiry will not have the power to compel witnesses to give evidence, but individuals and organisations are expected to engage openly, honestly, and candidly with the investigation. The family has long-running concerns over the nearby landfill, including historical tipping experiments in the area, and have raised concerns for greater transparency over contaminated land.
Zane's Law, a campaign for greater transparency over contaminated land, has been backed by London mayor Sadiq Khan and other councils across the country. The family hopes the inquiry will provide answers and bring closure to their long-running battle for justice.
The government's announcement of the inquiry comes as parliament considers the proposed Hillsborough Law, which imposes a duty of candour on public bodies. The legislation will be available to all live inquiries when it becomes law.