Labour MP Margaret Mullane failed to attend a coroner’s court hearing into the death of a three-year-old boy from her constituency, claiming she was needed in Parliament — but her office later admitted she had been at a local school instead.
The Dagenham and Rainham MP was ordered to appear at East London Coroner’s Court on Thursday, 15 May, after senior coroner Graeme Irvine accused her office of misleading bereaved parents and unlawfully attempting to interfere in a judicial investigation.
The case relates to the death of three-year-old Ahsanul Hoque Izyan, who drowned while on holiday in Greece on April 13. His grieving parents approached Mrs Mullane’s office amid lengthy delays to their son’s post-mortem, only to be falsely reassured that the MP could intervene.
Misleading Grieving Parents
Mrs Mullane’s staff sent an email to the coroner’s office asking it to “expedite” the case. Coroner Irvine explained this was inappropriate, as MPs are constitutionally barred from influencing judicial proceedings.
“You probably walked away from that meeting thinking your MP could legitimately contact the coroner’s office to expedite matters,” Irvine told the family in court.
“In that sense, you were misled.”
He blamed the delay in post-mortem results on chronic underfunding and a severe shortage of paediatric pathologists in Greater London.
“It is inhumane, in my view,” he told the family, describing their weeks-long wait for answers as akin to “torture.”
Mullane’s Non-Appearance Raises Questions
While Mullane was officially excused by the Speaker of the House of Commons, citing a parliamentary sitting day, it later emerged she was not in Westminster.
Her office told Newsquest that the MP had been “in the constituency” and attending a school visit. Asked directly if she was in Parliament, the aide admitted:
“She was due in Parliament today… but then it didn’t happen.”
This led coroner Irvine to remark:
“It would be disappointing to find out that Mrs Mullane today was not actually doing something in Parliament.”
He has confirmed he will reschedule her appearance for a date when she is not sitting, stating:
“I’m going to need clear explanations as to why this happened… I want to satisfy myself that she understands the rules.”
Office Admits Mistake
In her absence, Cianan Whelan, Mrs Mullane’s office manager, was compelled to testify. He admitted sending the email with her approval and claimed they were unaware such intervention was improper.
Asked whether the MP’s office had raised the matter with the Department for Health and Social Care — the government body actually responsible for post-mortem resources — he said they had not.
The coroner ruled Whelan would not face contempt proceedings, accepting that his actions stemmed from ignorance, not malice.
A Family Still Waiting
Meanwhile, Ahsanul’s parents remain in limbo. Greek authorities have yet to provide key documents, and London’s limited post-mortem infrastructure has left critical evidence at risk of deterioration.
Mrs Mullane’s office declined to comment further, saying it would be “inappropriate” ahead of her eventual court appearance.
