Awaab Ishak: Housing ombudsman investigating more mould complaints after inquest into Rochdale toddler’s death
The housing ombudsman has said he will launch an investigation into more complaints about mould in homes in Rochdale after an inquest into the death of Awaab Ishak.
Richard Blakely has written to Gareth Swarbrick, chief executive of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing, saying he had asked his team to “review open cases relating to the landlord, in particular damp and mould”.
Awaab died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould in the one-bedroom flat where he lived with his parents in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.
Politicians have said the death of the two-year-old should be a “catalyst for change in housing standards”.
Mr Blakely told Mr Swarbrick that investigations into three complaints which have been assessed as high or medium risk will be expedited.
The inquest into Awaab’s death concluded that the property he lived in was exposed to “extensive” mould for “some considerable time”.
Mr Blakely wrote that under paragraph 12 of the Housing Ombudsman Scheme, he was demanding RBH allow the ombudsman to interview the housing association’s staff, board or committee members, require a representative to attend any meetings convened by the ombudsman and provide information from third parties who may know about the complaint.
The letter also noted: “Given the circumstances of complaint 202119072, I have agreed that we will be exercising our powers under paragraph 49 of our Scheme to conduct further investigation to establish if this complaint is indicative of wider failure within the landlord.”
Mr Blakely concluded the letter writing that he would “welcome a meeting” with Mr Swarbrick, especially if he had any initial questions regarding their investigations.
Gareth Swarbrick, chief executive of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH). PIC: PA
In response to the letter, a spokesperson for RBH told ITV News: “We can confirm receipt of the housing ombudsman’s letter and will meet with Mr Blakely or a member of his team at the earliest opportunity to discuss these three cases.”
On Wednesday, shadow housing secretary Lisa Nandy told the Commons that the tragedy should mark a “real step change” in improving social housing stock.
Mould in Awaab Ishak’s home
“It should also be a defining moment for us and a wake-up call that every single person in this house who has – in whatever limited form and to whatever extent – the power and the platform to make sure that this never, ever happens again,” she said.
“It should not take the death of a two-year-old boy in completely avoidable circumstances to get us to get together and act.”
She asked Housing Secretary Michael Gove what steps his department planned on taking to try and resolve this “systematic issue.”
Mr Gove told the Commons that at least 2.3 million social homes fall short of the decent homes standard, which has been setting the standards that social homes are required to meet since the early 2000s, and is currently under review.
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Michael Gove said it was “beggar’s belief” that Gareth Swarbrick was still in his job
He added that he hopes new regulations, put in place as a response to the consultation, could be brought forward “as early as possible… in the beginning of the new year”.
Counter-terrorism police are investigating after an incident involving a crossbow and a firearm left two women injured in Leeds.
Police were called to Otley Road at 2.47pm on Saturday to reports of a “serious incident involving a man seen with weapons”, West Yorkshire Police said.
Officers arrived at the scene to find two women injured – and a 38-year-old man with a self-inflicted injury. All three were taken to hospital, with the man held under arrest, but their injuries are not believed to be life-threatening.
“Two weapons have been recovered from the scene, which were a crossbow and a firearm,” Counter Terrorism Policing North East said in a statement.
The incident happened on the ‘Otley Run’ pub crawl, with one venue saying it was closed for the evening due to “unforeseen circumstances”.
Officers guard one of the crime scenes
Officers inside the cordon in Leeds
Counter Terrorism Policing’s statement added: “Due to the circumstances surrounding the incident, Counter Terrorism Policing North East have taken responsibility for leading the investigation with the support of West Yorkshire Police.
“Extensive enquiries continue to establish the full circumstances and explore any potential motivation.”
Home Secretary Yvette Cooper described it as a “serious violent incident” and said she was being kept updated by police.
“Thank you to the police and emergency services for their swift response,” she said. “My thoughts are with the victims and all those affected by this attack.”
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Wrexham AFC have been promoted for the third season in a row.
The North Wales-based side has gone from the National League to the Championship in just three seasons, under its Hollywood owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.
Wrexham were second in the table and had a run of eight games unbeaten ahead of their match against Charlton Athletic on Saturday, which they won 3-0.
Wrexham’s James McClean lifts the League One trophy. Pic: PA
Wrexham’s Dan Scarr celebrates with the fans on the pitch after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
It is the first time any club has been promoted for three consecutive seasons within the top five tiers of English football.
The third oldest association football club in the world, Wrexham AFC was bought by Reynolds and McElhenney in 2020, and has since been the subject of a Disney+ documentary, Welcome To Wrexham.
Reynolds, wearing a Wrexham sweatshirt, and McElhenney were pictured celebrating each goal, and after the game, as the fans came onto the pitch at the SToK Cae Ras (Racecourse Ground) to celebrate the victory with the players.
Wrexham co-owners Rob McElhenney (L) and Ryan Reynolds and Ryan’s wife Blake Lively, before the match. Pic: PA
Both stars came onto the pitch after the supporters returned to the stands.
Speaking to Sky Sports, McElhenney praised those behind the scenes, referring to “so many that don’t get the credit they deserve, people who aren’t talked about”.
Reynolds said bringing success back to the club “seemed like an impossible dream” when they arrived in North Wales in 2020.
Wrexham’s Sam Smith celebrates in front of the fans after Wrexham won promotion to the Championship. Pic: PA
He put the three promotions down to “the coaching staff, the greatest dressing room” and an “all for one, one for all” attitude throughout the club, adding he was “speechless with their commitment and their emotion”.
As for the mouth-watering prospect of another promotion to the promised land of the Premier League, the pair agreed it was “for tomorrow”, before ending the interview with a joint mic-drop.
Veteran striker Steven Fletcher said, “as soon as I came to this club, I knew it was something special. We want to go again. We’ll reset in the summer, take a break and go again”.
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