MP pushing for industry regulation as ‘horrific’ funeral directors probe continues
‘UNPRECEDENTED SITUATION’: Emma Hardy, left, with colleague Dame Diana Johnson and Humberside Police Chief Constable Paul Anderson
By Rick Lyon, Co-Editor
The MP leading calls for the regulation of the funeral industry is meeting Government ministers every week as the investigation continues into Legacy Independent Funeral Directors.
Emma Hardy, MP for Hull West and Hessle, said the Government has promised a swift start to the process of inviting people to submit evidence. She added that the public reaction to the case of Legacy Independent Funeral Directors indicates there are many bereaved families seeking action.
Ms Hardy was speaking after meeting the Chief Constable of Humberside, Paul Anderson, with Hull North MP Dame Diana Johnson and the Shadow Policing Minister Alex Norris, who spent a day in Hull.
She said: “We thanked the chief constable for the brilliant work his team have done since they were alerted to the case. They have had a team of 100 working on it and all of them have really stepped up to the plate to deal with an unprecedented situation.
“We had a tour of the control room and the major incident room and we received a comprehensive briefing about how the investigation is being conducted. We can’t go into the detail of what was discussed but it is a huge investigation and the police are working tirelessly on behalf of the families who have been affected by this, many of whom are our constituents.
ONGOING INVESTIGATION: Legacy Independent Funeral Directors
“I am in regular contact with the chief constable and his team and my job as MP for Hull West and Hessle is to push for regulation of the sector to try and ensure that something like this can never happen again.
“To that end I have been meeting with ministers every week since this matter emerged. The Government has promised there will be a call for evidence imminently. It is clear from media reports over recent weeks that there are many families seeking answers.
“Having spoken to experts within the sector it’s clear that mortuaries and crematoriums are regulated but for some reason funeral directors are not. That’s a glaring omission which needs to be dealt with.”
Humberside Police are investigating “concern for care of the deceased” at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors, which has premises on Hessle Road and Anlaby Road in Hull, as well as Beckside, in Beverley.
A total of 35 bodies have been moved from the company’s premises on Hessle Road to Hull mortuary. The force has confirmed all have now been identified. A quantity of what is believed to be human ashes has also been removed.
‘SEEKING ANSWERS’: Humberside Police at Legacy Independent Funeral Directors
A 46-year-old man and a 23-year-old woman have been arrested on suspicion of prevention of a lawful and decent burial, fraud by misrepresentation and fraud by abuse of position. They are currently on police bail as investigations continue.
Deputy Chief Constable Dave Marshall said: “We are continuing to support the families involved through this extremely difficult and distressing time. This has been a truly horrific incident and they are understandably distraught and have many questions, and we are doing everything we can to give them the answers they desperately need.
“This is an extremely complex and sensitive investigation, with heartbroken and devastated families at the core of it, and we are determined to make sure that we keep the families involved at the heart of everything we are doing.”
Anyone with information which could help the investigation is asked to call the dedicated phone line on 0800 051 4674.
A dedicated Victim Support helpline has also been set up for anyone experiencing distress or concern, on 0808 16 89 111.