Awaab Ishak's family call for accountability over toddler's death

The family of two-year-old Awaab Ishak said they had seen nothing to indicate his death would serve as a "defining moment" for the housing sector.

The toddler died from a respiratory condition caused by prolonged exposure to mould in his home, an inquest found.

Gareth Swarbrick, chief executive of Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH), apologised to Awaab's family but rejected calls to quit.

"Accountability must be done and be seen to be done," the family said.

A government source described the decision for Mr Swarbrick to remain in his £185,000 job as "staggering" and said his position was "untenable".

The toddler died in December 2020 following a cardiac arrest after living in the damp one-bedroom housing association flat in Rochdale, Greater Manchester.

His father Faisal Abdullah had complained about the mould but no action was taken.

In a statement released by their lawyers, Awaab's family said: "Senior coroner Joanne Kearsley said that the tragic death of our beautiful Awaab should be a 'defining moment' for the housing sector.

"At present, we see nothing to indicate that the death of our son will, in any way, serve as a defining moment.

"Accountability must be done and be seen to be done.

"RBH have an opportunity to demonstrate to society at large, their residents and not least us as a family that they understand the gravity of this situation.

"We await further action from RBH."

The government source told BBC North West Tonight: "Rochdale Boroughwide Housing repeatedly ignored a family's pleas for help which led to the tragic death of a two-year-old child.

"It is staggering that Gareth Swarbrick is still in a job. His position is untenable."

Mr Swarbrick said he was "sorry to Awaab's family for their loss" and said "no apology will ever be enough".

He said the discussion about his future had "begun to overshadow the most important part of all of this, which is that a family has lost their child".

He added: "Having spoken to the board, I can confirm that I will not be resigning.

"They have given me their full backing and trust to continue to oversee the improvements and changes needed within RBH."

Councillor Daniel Meredith, cabinet member for highways and housing at Rochdale Council, had also called for a resignation, writing a letter to Mr Swarbrick urging him to step down.

He said he had "no confidence" that Mr Swarbrick and his board were equipped to win back confidence of tenants.

In a letter to Michael Gove, the council called for housing stock managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing to be brought back into control of the local authority.

"Decent, safe housing should be a human right and we would welcome working with your department to ensure that confidence is restored to the system following this deeply troubling case," the letter said.

The council also wants the housing ombudsman or regulator Homes England to take temporary charge of the association "until the organisation can regain the trust of its tenants, the council and government".

Housing ombudsman Richard Blakeway has sped up three investigations into the landlord after the coroner's ruling.

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to [email protected]