'My boy was killed... but as soon as the ambulance doors shut it was just about damage limitation for them'
| Published date | 27 March 2024 |
| Publication title | Manchester Evening News: Web Edition Articles (England) |
Ben was on the trip with the Reddish Explorer Scouts. A jury inquest earlier this year concluded that Ben had been "unlawfully killed" by the Explorer Scouts leader and assistant leader and found that neglect of the Scouts Association TSA was a contributing factor.
The inquest, which began on January 4 this year, heard allegations Ben's family were lied to, with suggestions the 'approach' initially taken by TSA was to blame the boy for the tragedy amid worries over 'reputational damage' to the organisation.
The Manchester Evening News previously reported how, within moments of the jury verdict, TSA published a statement on its website apologising, but blaming 'local leaders' for not following its rules. But in a statement Ben's family said "the pain of losing Ben has only been made worse by the constant passing of blame by one person to another and for the never-ending uttering of empty words.... the attempt to blame local leaders for everything, whilst refusing to face up to their own failures at national level, is a continuing worrying feature."
Now, Jackie Leonard, 54, said her son's death had a "devastating impact" on her family and that TSA needs to be regulated by an external body to be "made safe" and prevent more children from dying. She has launched a petition with three other grieving families calling on the Government to take action after a coroner ruled he was unlawfully killed.
Jackie has joined forces with the families of Lee Craddock, Scott Fanning and Roy Thornton, who died on Scouting expeditions in 1995, 1998 and 1999 respectively, to demand the Government launch a public inquiry into the organisation's "training and policies", as well as establish an external regulator.
The association's chief executive Matt Hyde announced last week that he will be stepping down after 11 years of service to head the Lloyds Bank Foundation for England and Wales but will remain in post until September 2024.
Jackie said that under Mr Hyde's leadership the association had "failed" in its number one priority, to keep children safe.
"The impact is devastating on the whole family," Jackie told the Press Association.
"I do think that in their 100-plus-year history, this is their darkest time. Like with the Post...
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