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To combat the threats posed by land contamination to building safety we need Zane’s Law

5/3/2022

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Natalie Bennett is a Green Party peer and a Contributing Editor to Left Foot Forward
Some families who’ve lost a loved one under awful circumstances, highly commendably, seek to ensure that no one else will have to suffer as they’ve suffered. It’s an impulse that’s given us important legal provisions, from Natasha’s law, about the labelling of allergens in pre-packed food, to Helen’s law, which demands that murderers cooperate with the authorities over finding their victim’s bodies before they can get parole.
And it is what’s driven the campaign for Zane’s Law – starting out its parliamentary progress yesterday as an amendment to the Building Safety Bill.
It is named after Zane Gbangbola, for whom was also founded the Truth About Zane campaign, which is still working, with support ranging from that of Sir Keir Starmer and Andy Burnham to the FBU and the CWU, to Conservative-controlled Spelthorne Borough Council. It’s a campaign to get on the record the truth about the seven-year-old’s death in Chertsey in 2014, when floods swept hideously toxic hydrogen cyanide into the family home. That’s not what the inquest verdict included in 2016 – but the inequality of arms and the illogic of that verdict – is something the campaign continues to fight on to correct.
But last year, Zane’s parents, Kye and Nicole, and their supporters took up an even broader issue – the question of why it was that they, and the rest of the community, had no knowledge of the danger of the historic landfill site near their home. They launched the campaign at Green Party conference, and took it to COP26, where Jeremy Corbyn and I talked to the family at a public event that became a podcast.
For what happened to Zane (and his father Kye – who was left paralysed by the hydrogen cyanide) could awfully, terribly easily happen to another family, or whole community.
The issue goes back to 1974, when the Control of Pollution Act first took control over waste disposal, but before that came into effect, many dumps were quietly closed, and since pretty well forgotten, as campaigner Paul Mobbs explains in a disturbing video.
EU regulations on waste and pollution required the tightening of those controls under the Environmental Protection Act 1990, Section 143, bringing in an obligation on local authorities to investigate their areas and draw up “public registers of land that may be contaminated”. Section 61 gave local waste authorities powers to inspect closed landfills and clean them up if necessary.
But lots of new housing developments, in particular, are on old landfill sites. Under pressure, the government held three consultations on contaminated landfill registers from 1991 to 1993, eventually deciding that Section 143 would not be enacted, and all plans for public registers of contaminated sites would be dropped. The explanation given was cost, and desire not to place “new regulatory burdens on the private sector”.
Limited powers were brought in in 1995 – although not coming into force until 2000 – that meant often when developers found contamination problems, public authorities had to pay.
But it got worse In 2012, as part of the Cameron government’s “bonfire of red tape”, to reduce the statutory burdens, the right of enforcement authorities to use the law was further reduced – the emphasis being on “voluntary” cleanup, with no real power to check it has been done.
The initial draft of Zane’s Law is simple. It demands that local authorities assess the risk posed by land contamination to building safety. That’s essentially taking us back to the provision of 1990, although of course it is not that simple, so there’s a second amendment, calling for the government to publish a review examining the issue of land contamination and its impact on building safety.
The focus on buildings is because it has to fit within the scope of this Bill – ideally in future it should also cover playgrounds, farmland, and any other usage. And even just on buildings, it is picking up a crucial issue. It is evident that there’s a great risk at potential locations of new homes right around the country, from Carlisle to Cambridge, Dudley to Newbury.
But there’s also the issue of the climate emergency, new extremes of weather, particularly floods, but also heatwaves, that cause events such as that which tragically claimed young Zane’s life more likely.
To identify the size and scale of the problem, in every local authority in the land, has to be the starting point to fixing it, and preventing future risk to life.
Link to the Hansard >> 

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The Peace & Justice Podcast ‘Episode 1: The Truth About Zane’.

14/2/2022

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Please listen to our interview with Jeremy Corbyn and Natalie Bennett as we call for Zane’s Law. 
Today is all about love and no child was ever loved more than Zane. We will not stop until we have the TruthAboutZane ❤️ 
​
The Peace & Justice Project presents…

The Peace & Justice Podcast ‘Episode 1: The Truth About Zane’.

Join us for part one of our new six part podcast series, The Peace & Justice Podcast, hosted by Jeremy Corbyn.

Recorded as part of our Alternative COP26 at Websters Theatre in Glasgow in November, Jeremy meets with Nicole and Kye Gbangbola and former leader of the Green Party Natalie Bennett, to discuss the Truth About Zane campaign (truthaboutzane.com) and their fight for justice for their son who died from suspected hydrogen cyanide poisoning after flooding at a landfill site near their Surrey home in 2014.

Recorded at Websters Theatre in Glasgow

Theme by Jake Thomas

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'The system is so unjust': PUBLIC AUTHORITIES AND POLICE should be compelled to tell truth by law, bereaved families say

8/1/2022

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Bereaved families, former prime ministers and a host of high-profile public figures have come together for a 'Hillsborough Law Now' event broadcast live on Facebook. 
This comes after the powerful ITV drama "Anne", which tells the story of Anne Williams' fight for justice for her son Kevin.
Gordon Brown and Theresa May have thrown their weight behind the campaign for a “Hillsborough law”, designed to rebalance the justice system and ensure fairer treatment for bereaved families.
The former prime ministers joined speakers from academia, sport, journalism and the arts at an event on Friday afternoon to express support for measures aimed at preventing others from going through the fight for justice faced by the families of the tragedy’s victims.
Some of the most powerful testimonies came from people who lost relatives not just at Hillsborough, but also at Grenfell Tower, the Manchester Arena bombing, TruthAboutZane and other major tragedies and scandals.
May said what happened at Hillsborough, “the death of 97 Liverpool fans failed by the state”, was tragedy enough for the families. “But what followed was injustice heaped on injustice. Years of beating their heads against a brick wall of government and the legal and judicial system which added untold pain and suffering.”
Brown said the Hillsborough law was needed now. “No delays. No prevarications. No excuses to secure justice for you [bereaved families] and everyone who in future may face the same challenges.

“No one. No one should ever have to go through what Hillsborough families have had to live through. No one should be denied the truth, as you were denied the truth. No one should have had to wait so long to be heard, as you waited so long. No one should be kept in the dark by bureaucratic indifference and deceitful lies, like your families.”
One strand of the new law would be a statutory duty of candour on all public servants during public inquiries and criminal investigations. “That means no cover-ups, no concealments, no closing of ranks,” said Brown.
Margaret Aspinall's son James was 18 when he was killed at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final, one of 97 people who died from the injuries they sustained that day.
'Hillsborough cover-up shows system is corrupt'

"I think this Hillsborough Law is so important," she said. "It won't be any good now to the families, obviously - our journey is more or less done. But it's going to be important for other people. The system is so unjust and unfair, I feel like we're back in the dark ages."
Mrs Aspinall says the police cover-up after Hillsborough shows the system is corrupt, and that's why a new law is needed.
The mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham is leading calls for a statutory duty of candour on all police officers, which would mean they are legally required to tell the truth during all forms of public inquiry.
"We've been living in a country where bereaved families often come up against public bodies that close ranks that create false narratives," he said. "It's just not a level playing field, and so you see this pattern repeat itself and repeat itself."
His calls for reform are based on a report in 2017 reflecting on the Hillsborough families' experiences. The recommendations include creating a charter for relatives bereaved through public tragedy, providing publicly-funded legal representation for families at inquests, and appointing a public advocate to act for them.
The Labour politician Lord Falconer, a former secretary of state for justice, said he had always trusted the law. “But the law deserves absolutely no trust in relation to what happened in the Hillsborough case. The extraordinary thing about it is that people kept going for 33 years … They did not get justice.
“Truth came out, but no justice. The law, in effect, damaged and destroyed people it was supposed to protect and it utterly ravaged and vilified families who were fighting for justice.”
​Most of the speakers, who included the Liverpool legend Sir Kenny Dalglish, appeared virtually from their homes and offices. A small number spoke in person at the event, held at the People’s History Museum in Manchester, co-hosted by the mayor of Liverpool, Steve Rotheram, and the mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham.

Burnham asked why the galleries were so packed with artefacts telling stories of ordinary people struggling to fight for rights, fairness and justice. “It’s because when things go wrong in this country, the fight that people face is too long and too hard. When things go wrong, the authorities close ranks. They blame victims. They sometimes create false narratives that can be very hard to shift.”
He said access to justice was still linked to your class, your accent and whether you have access to a social connection, and praised Brown and May for their roles in helping to bring truth for the Hillsborough families.
Zane's daddy Kye said, "
Despite the truth being visible the inquest acted to systematically strip Zane of his human rights, using a false lens of plausible deniability.  If they can do this to the 97 and their families, just imagine what they can do to one family walking alone.
Hillsborough makes clear the truth is imperative in order that others 
can be protected and justice be served.  The patronising disposition, and disgrace of unaccountable power, is neither confined to Hillsborough, or the past.  So we call on the Government to commit to bring forward a comprehensive Hillsborough Law without further delay.
For Zane you must ask yourselves what kind of a country do we live in where there is no investigation into Hydrogen Cyanide, a weapon of mass destruction, in a neighbourhood?"
In an emotional ending Zane's mummy Nicole said, "Zane is not just a lie on a death certificate,  No child was ever loved more and we will die fighting if we have to. 
Please help us, do not let history repeat itself. I do not want to die before we undo the lies that dishonour him. And he can finally rest in peace.  Zane did not die accidentally; he was unlawfully killed. The evidence is there.  Zane died, the authorities lied."
Andy Burnham said he remembered meeting Zane's mummy in Parliament and said "we were with you then, we are with you now and we will be with you always!"
You can watch our contribution here if you don’t have time to watch the full video on the above link. 
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zane's law

13/11/2021

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We are beyond proud and moved to announce that at COP26 we launched Zane’s Law aiming to close loopholes in Environmental Protection Act 2010 on registration of landfills. A law that protects our children now, & in the future, from the dangers of landfill & climatic change. The Green Party announce the pursuit of Zane's Law at COP26 Peace and Justice Project.  #ZanesLaw

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Zane Gbangbola: MoD claims followed up in flood death inquiry

3/11/2021

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A council is seeking information from the Ministry of Defence over claims chemicals were dumped on land behind a house where a seven-year-old boy died.
Zane Gbangbola's parents say he died from gases washed out of a tip during flooding in 2014.
In 2020, a MoD whistleblower told the BBC that subcontractors working for a tank base dumped chemicals on land in Chertsey, including behind Zane's home.

The MoD has not yet commented to the BBC on Spelthorne council's request.
The request for information is part of preparatory work by officers after councillors agreed tests should take place on the land.
Officers said the council would request information from the MoD next week.
Zane's parents, Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler, dispute inquest findings from 2016 that their son died from carbon monoxide from a pump used to clear flood water. 
They have always said the pump was not in use.
They have obtained Public Health England documents showing hydrogen cyanide was detected in their home.
In a report to go before councillors on Wednesday, officers said specialist legal advice had been sought on how the authority could test the land.
Officers also said they submitted a freedom of information request to the Environment Agency in October because the inquest evidence on waste permits was unclear.
They said potential new information since the inquest included claims made to the BBC by a former MoD engineer, who asked to remain anonymous.
The whistleblower claimed subcontractors working for the tank research facility five miles from the house used to dump waste chemicals in local gravel pits.
The MoD previously told the BBC it would not comment on the whistleblower's claims unless formal allegations were made.
Next steps could include an update to an earlier desktop study that assessed the land and then site investigation, the report said.
However, Zane's father, who is attending the COP26 climate conference, said officers made "no mention of the further increased risks to people and the environment as the climate changes".
Mr Gbangbola, who has previously called for tests on the land to be carried out independently, also drew attention to another incident at Denman Drive in 2009-11 where the council had taken remedial action.
He said: "At Denman, it only took a stain on a child's dress to investigate and cyanide was found."

Listen to Zane's father on Radio Surrey with Danny Pike 

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Green Party conference Fringe: The Truth about Zane - climate change, accountability and social justice

3/11/2021

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Please start at 00:06:13
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Public Health England documents confirm LETHAL HYDROGEN CYANIDE GAS WAS DETECTED IN HOME OF BOY, 7,

17/9/2021

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Chertsey: Zane Gbangbola flood death site 'to be investigated'

16/9/2021

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Investigations at a former landfill site behind a house where a seven-year-old boy died are to take place as soon as possible, councillors have said.
Zane Gbangbola died during floods in 2014 - his parents say he was killed by hydrogen cyanide washed out of the tip.
Now Spelthorne council's environment and sustainability committee has voted to take action at the site in Chertsey.
Committee chairman Ian Beardsmore said tests had not been carried out and it was "the right thing to do".
An inquest ruled Zane's death was an accident caused by carbon monoxide poisoning from a petrol pump brought in by his family to get rid of floodwater.
However, his parents Kye Gbangbola and Nicole Lawler always disputed the findings and said the pump was never in use.
Mr Gbangbola, who was paralysed in the incident, and Ms Lawler have now obtained Public Health England (PHE) papers backing their claims.
The papers, released to the family under a Freedom of Information request, include one document stating: "The house had three generators (1 x petrol, not operating, and 2 electric 1 of which was operating) in basement."
The document also said fire service testing detected no carbon monoxide.
A further note said firefighters confirmed "three hits" in the property for "hydrogen cyanide".
It said long-term exposure to the gas could cause cardiac arrest, adding: "The property has been flooded for the last 6-7 weeks with the family continuing to live in it - the [redaction] has been trying to pump out the basement and garden and the son has been in the flood water and garden."
Mr Gbangbola has told the BBC that his son never lived in the flooded areas of the home and only the basement was flooded. He said: "All habitable areas were dry and clean."
'Tests must be independent'Circulating the documents to the committee, Mr Beardsmore called for a report before 9 November stating how the authority would act in examining the site.
He said: "This is not ifs, buts or maybe, but how and when."
He said it needed to be decided whether action could be taken under emergency planning, contaminated land or health and safety legislation.
The committee voted unanimously in favour of action, but Mr Gbangbola said afterwards: "The tests must be comprehensive and done independently."
He also appealed to anyone with information to contact the BBC, adding: "Just do the right thing and tell the truth as you would expect others to do had your child been killed."
PHE said its staff, including the Porton Down-based Emergency Response Department, supported the 2013-14 flood response, and it later provided written evidence to the inquest.
It said Dr John Thompson from the PHE-commissioned National Poisons Information Service gave his expert opinion.
A spokesman for the coroner said: "An independent, full, frank and fearless inquest into the death of Zane Gbangbola was concluded in September 2016. 
"The coroner's detailed explanation of his findings and conclusion has been available since the end of the inquest."
Mr Gbangbola said PHE were not present at the inquest, but "totally absent". He called for an explanation from the coroner.
Original BBC article by Tanya Gupta

​AS IT EMERGES SPELTHORNE BOROUGH COUNCIL WANTS TO INVESTIGATE THE FORMER LANDFILL SITE IN CHERTSEY WHERE ZANE GBANGBOLA DIED, LUCY MAYER TALKS TO HIS MOTHER NICOLE.
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Revealed: Lethal hydrogen cyanide gas was detected in home of boy, 7, who died from toxic fumes after it was flooded - By MICHAEL POWELL FOR THE MAIL ON SUNDAY

12/9/2021

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  • Lethal hydrogen cyanide gas was detected in Surrey home of Zane Gbangbola
  • Parents insist he was killed by gas, which seeped from nearby former landfill site
  • Coroner ruled he was poisoned by carbon monoxide from a floodwater pump
  • Now, MoS has obtained emails and an incident log written by PHE officials 
  • These reveal that hydrogen cyanide was detected three times in the house
Boris Johnson is facing calls to order a public inquiry into the death of a schoolboy after the release of official documents sparked claims of a cover-up.
The files reveal that lethal hydrogen cyanide gas was detected in the home of seven-year-old Zane Gbangbola, who died from toxic fumes seven years ago after his family’s home in Chertsey, Surrey, was flooded.
His parents insist he was killed by the deadly gas, which had seeped from toxic waste dumped in a former landfill site nearby.

But in 2016, a coroner ruled the boy had been poisoned by carbon monoxide from a petrol-powered pump used to clear floodwater.
Now, The Mail on Sunday has obtained more than 100 pages of emails and an incident log written by Public Health England officials.
These reveal that hydrogen cyanide was detected three times in the house by firefighters using specialist gas-testing equipment – but no carbon monoxide was found – and that the pump blamed for the tragedy was not even used.

They also show that despite the cyanide readings, senior officials briefed the media that Zane’s death was the result of carbon monoxide poisoning. Public health officials were warned not to mention hydrogen cyanide as a potential cause.
Pleading with the Prime Minister to intervene, Zane’s parents, Kye and Nicole, last night said: ‘We believe the authorities lied pretty much from the moment that we lost our son.
‘That is why we call on Boris Johnson to do the decent thing and open an independent panel inquiry so we can finally get to the truth and get justice for Zane.’
A petition launched by the couple has attracted 110,000 signatures, and Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer is backing their campaign.

Sir Keir said: ‘I fully support their campaign for an independent panel inquiry to finally get to the truth about Zane’s tragic death.’
Pressure for an inquiry increased last year when a retired Ministry of Defence engineer told the BBC that military contractors dumped chemical waste in gravel pits close to the family’s home.
It also emerged that experts from the top-secret Porton Down defence laboratory rushed to the scene.
The documents obtained by the MoS – which were not disclosed to the coroner – provide fresh detail about what happened after Zane’s mother found him at their riverside home on February 8, 2014.
He was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital; his father was paralysed. The cause was determined as exposure to cyanide.
An entry on the PHE incident log at 9.49am reveals that the fire service had ‘positively identified HCN (hydrogen cyanide) gas on three occasions at the property’, adding that ‘continuous exposure to HCN builds up in the blood and can produce cardiac arrest type symptoms’ and that Zane and his parents ‘may have had extended exposure to the low levels of HCN over a period of weeks’.
By 7.24pm, public health officials were being encouraged to focus on carbon monoxide poisoning.

But an internal update from the Surrey Police Gold Commander 40 minutes later makes clear that cyanide had been detected and the petrol pump had not been in use.
PHE denied it had come under pressure to focus on carbon monoxide as the cause of Zane’s death.
It added that its experts had provided evidence and documents to the coroner and that an expert from the PHE-commissioned National Poisons Information Service had also appeared at the inquest.
A spokesman for Richard Travers, the Surrey Coroner, said the six-week inquest had been ‘independent, full, frank and fearless’ and that ‘a substantial amount of evidence including that from in excess of 70 witnesses’ had been heard.
​Original article here >>

Listen to Zane's mum on LBC with Tom swarbrick

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sky news: extremely hazardous, corrosive swamps made up of unmanaged dumped mess

23/6/2021

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A Sky News investigation found there are 34 Acid Tar Lagoons officially recorded by councils across the UK thee could be more than 150, BUT OUR GOVERNMENT HAS A RECORD OF ONLY TWO. Acid Tar Lagoons are extremely hazardous, corrosive swamps made up of unmanaged dumped mess from oil refineries largely in the 1960s and '70s. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZRtxlmL5d7o
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