In 2019, I launched a UK Government petition calling for a public inquiry into the death of my son Matthew Leahy (20 years). Within six months, more than 105,000 people across the UK had signed — a turning point in the fight for truth, accountability and reform.
105,000+ signatures • Petition debated in Westminster Hall (30 Nov 2020)
The Government Petition
The petition ran its full course and closed with 105,000+ signatures. This milestone required Parliament to consider the matter for debate. As a direct result, a Westminster Hall debate was held on 30 November 2020.
The petition’s success showed this fight was not mine alone — it belonged to thousands of families, carers, survivors and supporters demanding answers and change.
Parliamentary Debate Pack
Ahead of the 30 November 2020 Westminster Hall debate on the petition, the House of Commons Library produced an official Debate Pack.
The pack highlights Matthew’s case, other deaths at the Linden Centre, and lays out patient safety issues, parliamentary questions, press coverage, and calls for accountability. It was circulated to MPs before the debate.
After the Debate: What Happened Next
The Westminster Hall debate (30 Nov 2020) concluded with the Government announcing an independent investigation into deaths and failings in Essex mental health services. However, this investigation was not given statutory powers at that time.
The campaign continued to press for full statutory powers so that witnesses could be compelled and documents obtained.
- 📅 21 Jan 2021 — Inquiry established: The inquiry was formally set up as non-statutory — Lampard Inquiry site .
- 📅 6 Sept 2021 — Terms of Reference: The Minister set out the inquiry’s Terms of Reference — Hansard – Nadine Dorries (6 Sept 2021) .
- 📅 2021–22 — Limited cooperation: Only a small number of staff initially engaged with the non-statutory inquiry. Families and campaigners raised concerns in the media and with MPs.
- 📅 Mar 2022 — Judicial Review: Families launched legal action calling for full independence and statutory powers — INQUEST (2022) .
- 📅 28 Jun 2023 — Chair resignation: Dr Geraldine Strathdee stepped down as Chair when the inquiry was converted to statutory status — Lampard Inquiry site .
- 📅 28 Jun 2023 — Statutory powers granted: The Government confirmed the inquiry would move to statutory footing — DHSC update (28 Jun 2023) . The formal Terms of Reference were published (Apr 2024) .
- 📅 2024–25 — Lampard Inquiry began: The statutory inquiry, led by Baroness Lampard , commenced with full powers to compel evidence.
“Leahy said she had been ‘shaken to the core’ to learn that Dorries had sent WhatsApp messages in 2020 describing how she was ‘picking off’ families one by one to isolate her.”
— The Guardian, Sept 2024
🎥 If the video doesn’t load, you can watch it directly on Facebook here.
“Families and campaigners said the inquiry was ‘toothless’ because it lacked powers to compel witnesses or demand documents.”
— The Guardian, Apr 2023
On ministerial engagement: According to Melanie’s account, then-Minister Nadine Dorries sought to engage some families separately from the petition lead, which Melanie felt risked dividing a unified effort.
Campaign Timeline Recap
Petition launched
105,000+ signatures
Westminster Hall Debate
30 Nov debate
Independent Inquiry announced
Non-statutory inquiry begins
Judicial Review
Families challenge inquiry powers
Parliamentary Warning
MPs warn inquiry will be made statutory if staff fail to engage