The family of Awaab Ishak has called on all board members at Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH) to resign following their toddler's death. RBH has been under huge scrutiny following Awaab's inquest earlier this month, which heard the two-year-old died after prolonged exposure to mould at his home on the Freehold estate, in Rochdale.
Chief executive Gareth Swarbrick was ousted from his role on Saturday (November 19) in the aftermath of the inquest - but a statement issued just two days earlier insisted that he had the full support of the RBH board. Today (Thursday), following a meeting with housing secretary Michael Gove, the family urged other members of the board to consider their roles.
The statement, read out by the family's barrister Christian Weaver, said: "The family would also like to take this moment to make their thoughts clear in relation to RBH’s leadership. The family have no confidence in RBH’s board.
"They call for the board’s resignation and believe that, while the current board remains, there is an ever-present risk and danger to RBH tenants. The family are struggling to grapple with the fact that, while grieving the loss of their child, RBH were expressing confidence in their CEO.
"They also cannot understand why it took so long for RBH to, in any way, acknowledge that it was wrong for them to have made 'assumptions' about the lifestyle of Mr Abdullah and Ms Amin - particularly given the Coroner’s findings. RBH have immediate and urgent issues that need to be addressed to ensure the safety of their tenants.
"The family do not feel this board has the competence or credibility to do the job. This is a view that has been expressed by many."
RBH issued a statement earlier this week admitting it had made 'assumptions about lifestyle' relating to Awaab's family and apologised, insisting it 'abhors racism in any shape or form'. Mr Gove was among the figures to have called out RBH over 'prejudice' following evidence heard at Awaab's inquest.
In their statement, the family confirmed Mr Gove had provided his backing to ensuring the Social Housing Regulation Bill passes through Parliament, and the changes being called for in the Manchester Evening News campaign for Awaab's Law. A petition for Awaab's Law now has more than 120,000 signatures.
Mr Gove has also promised to keep the family and public informed of progress and to return to Rochdale in six months, the family's statement said, while he is also set to deal with the matters raised in the coroner's Prevention of Future Deaths report. The statement continued: "The family are encouraged by Michael Gove’s remarks, however are keen for what took place in the meeting to be read out in public.
"This is in an effort to assure not only others living in social housing, but also the public, are able to hold the Secretary of State and the Government, to account." It added: "The family once again, wish to express their thanks for the love and support that has been shown.
"They felt ignored by RBH, but feel warmed that the public are listening. They would also encourage the public to go to change.org and sign the petition for an Awaab’s Law."
Mr Gove also met with representatives from Rochdale Council and RBH today. The meetings came as his government department announced it would no longer provide RBH with £1 million in funding from the Affordable Homes Programme or receive any new AHP contracts for new homes until the Regulator of Social Housing concludes an investigation into RBH and it can 'prove it is a responsible landlord'.
A spokesperson for RBH said: "We welcomed the opportunity to meet with the Secretary of State. We acknowledged again that we got things wrong and how deeply sorry we are for the loss of Awaab and that we know that our words would not take away the pain that is being felt by his family.
"We explained to the Secretary of State that we welcomed the impartial scrutiny that the regulator will bring and we look forward to working more closely with all parties over the coming months. We are absolutely focussed on improving the quality of our existing homes and improving any operational areas where we have previously under performed.
"Our immediate priority is to maintain the stability of the organisation and to appoint a new interim chief executive which we are in the process of doing. The board is reflecting on the appropriate blend of skills and experience needed to lead the organisation going forward.
"The board will take the decision in dialogue with the regulator and RBH’s representative body to ensure that there is a well-managed succession plan for the future." Sign the petition for Awaab's Law here.
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