A determined mother has won a hard-fought eight-year battle for justice after an inquest concluded that her daughter’s suicide was connected to a cut in her benefits, reports The Mirror.
Joy Dove never accepted her daughter Jodey Whiting’s death at face value and pushed to uncover what really happened. Her persistence paid off when a coroner ruled that the Department of Work and Pensions had wrongly cut off benefits, which worsened the mental health of the 42-year-old mother of nine, ultimately leading her to lose hope and end her life, leaving behind farewell notes to her family.
Throughout the difficult process, 71-year-old Joy received steadfast support from the Mirror and columnist Ros Wynn-Jones of ‘Real Britain’, both of whom continuously championed Jodey’s cause, reports The Mirror.
Following the verdict, Joy, from Norton on Teesside, expressed: “I have always believed that Jodey took her life due to failings by the DWP. The coroner has confirmed that mistakes made by the DWP in the way they handled Jodey’s case caused her death,” reports the Mirror.
She continued, reflecting on the arduous journey: “It should not have taken an eight-year fight for justice to get where we are today. It has been an uphill battle trying to get answers and accountability, but I would never give up. I was determined to keep fighting for justice for Jodey, reports The Mirror.
Following the verdict, Joy, from Norton on Teesside, expressed: “I have always believed that Jodey took her life due to failings by the DWP. The coroner has confirmed that mistakes made by the DWP in the way they handled Jodey’s case caused her death,” reports the Mirror.
She continued, reflecting on the arduous journey: “It should not have taken an eight-year fight for justice to get where we are today. It has been an uphill battle trying to get answers and accountability, but I would never give up. I was determined to keep fighting for justice for Jodey, reports The Mirror.
‘This did not just happen to Jodey, it has happened to many others. Jodey’s death was not a one-off failing by the DWP, the way they have treated some of their most vulnerable claimants is absolutely disgraceful.”
The family’s lawyer, Merry Varney of Leigh Day, emphasized how vital thorough inquests are when investigating causes of death. She warned that without them, the “dangerous and sometimes deadly way” the DWP treats those unable to work due to illness or disability would “will remain covered up and unchecked,” reports The Mirror.
Jodey died on February 21, 2017, just two weeks after her Employment Support Allowance was removed following an assessment deeming her “fit to work.” At the inquest, the DWP expressed deep remorse, with findings revealing that the mother and grandmother “had lost hope” in her final days.
Testimony at Teesside Coroner’s Court revealed that Jodey missed a DWP appointment in late 2016 due to being hospitalised with pneumonia. While in care, a brain cyst was also discovered by doctors, reports The Mirror.
When she returned home, unopened DWP letters about her missed medical exam were found in her flat.
One of the follow-up letters, dated February 6, 2017, stated without exception that she was “fit to work.” The inquest heard how this news sent Jodey into a spiral of fear, confusion, and hopelessness.
She was struggling with numerous physical and mental health issues, including a curved spine and bipolar disorder. After a short first inquest concluded in 37 minutes that she had died by suicide, Joy sought a new investigation, reports The Mirror.
Joy managed to obtain a second inquest by appealing to the Court of Appeal. In court, personal notes found near her medication at home were read aloud.
Bridget Dolan KC, acting for the coroner, said: “She wrote about not being able to pay her bills and having no food. In some she wrote about feeling breathless and trying to pay her bills and being in debt.”
Another note simply read: “I have had enough,” reports The Mirror.
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