Labour MP Margaret Mullane has sparked fury after missing a crucial coroner’s court hearing about a three-year-old boy’s tragic death — claiming she was needed in Parliament, only for it to emerge she was actually at a local school.
MP No-Show Amid Grieving Family’s Anguish
The Dagenham and Rainham MP was ordered to attend East London Coroner’s Court on Thursday, 15 May. The hearing concerned the death of three-year-old Ahsanul Hoque Izyan, who drowned on holiday in Greece on April 13.
Coroner Graeme Irvine accused Mullane’s office of misleading the grieving family and unlawfully trying to interfere in the judicial process. The boy’s parents had approached her office for help after long delays in their son’s post-mortem.
Coroner Slams MP’s Interference
Mullane’s staff emailed the coroner, requesting to “expedite” the investigation. But Irvine blasted the move as “inappropriate”, warning MPs are constitutionally barred from meddling in court cases.
“You probably walked away from that meeting thinking your MP could legitimately contact the coroner’s office to expedite matters. In that sense, you were misled,” Irvine told the family in court.
The coroner highlighted chronic underfunding and a dire shortage of paediatric pathologists in Greater London as causes for the agonising delay. He described the wait as “inhumane” and “torture” for the bereaved parents.
Mullane Caught Out — Not in Parliament After All
Though officially excused from court by the Speaker of the House of Commons due to a parliamentary sitting day, Mullane’s office later admitted she hadn’t been in Westminster. Instead, she was visiting a school in her constituency.
“She was due in Parliament today… but then it didn’t happen,” an aide confessed.
Coroner Irvine was unimpressed.
“It would be disappointing to find out that Mrs Mullane today was not actually doing something in Parliament.”
Irvine plans to reschedule her appearance on a non-sitting day and demands clear answers.
“I want to satisfy myself that she understands the rules.”
MP’s Office Manager Admits Mistake
In Mullane’s absence, her office manager Cianan Whelan admitted sending the email to the coroner with her approval — unaware this breached judicial protocol. They hadn’t contacted the Department for Health and Social Care, the real authority responsible for post-mortem delays.
Luckily for Whelan, the coroner decided not to pursue contempt proceedings, agreeing the actions were “ignorance, not malice.”
Family Still Struggles For Answers
Meanwhile, Ahsanul’s parents remain stuck in limbo. Greek authorities have yet to release crucial documents, and London’s limited post-mortem resources threaten the integrity of vital evidence.
Mullane’s office declined further comment, calling it “inappropriate” ahead of her rescheduled court appearance.
