The mother of a schoolgirl killed by air pollution has received an apology from London’s mayor over the city’s failure to tackle filthy air sooner.
Sadiq Khan issued an apology to Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah on behalf of the Greater London Authority (GLA) on Friday following Ella’s death in 2013.
The girl died aged nine following a severe asthma attack which, in a landmark inquest, the Coroner concluded was “contributed to by exposure to excessive air pollution’.
Ella lived very close to the South Circular, one of the busiest roads in London, and the Coroner found that the principal source of Ella’s exposure was traffic emissions.
The Coroner said Rosamund was not given information about the health risks of air pollution and its potential to exacerbate asthma.
As part of a settlement of a claim brought by Ella’s family and estate, the Mayor delivered the apology at City Hall.
Mr Khan said: “As the Mayor of London, I’d like to take this opportunity – on behalf of the Greater London Authority and our city – to offer a full and unqualified apology for not acting sooner to tackle air pollution, which ultimately led to the tragic death of Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah.
“In recent years, we’ve ensured that London is a world-leader in reducing air pollution.
“But it’s clear that London’s leaders and institutions could have done more – and sooner – to address the dangers of toxic air.”
The event was attended by Rosamund, London’s Deputy Mayor for Environment and Energy Shirley Rodrigues and Camilla Kingdon, President of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Mr Khan added: “And so, to Ella’s mother Rosamund, her family and to all those who knew and loved Ella, I simply say: Sorry. You deserved so much better.
“But – like you – I’m determined to keep Ella’s memory and legacy alive by ensuring that we do not repeat the mistakes of the past by failing today’s generation of young Londoners.
“Because no child should suffer as Ella did. And no family should have to endure the pain and heartbreak that you have.”
Air pollution is estimated to cause the premature deaths of 43,000 people every year in the UK.
It can cause cancer, strokes, heart attacks, dementia and asthma, with the problem worse in more urban areas.
Rosamund said: “There is still much work to do, but the Mayor’s acknowledgement of the failures of his office at the time is a positive start.
“However, I am still bitterly disappointed by the UK government’s refusal to take the dangers of air pollution seriously.”
Rosamund said Ella’s Law – a bill granting the human right to clean air – would “go a long way” in preventing air pollution deaths.
She said: “It creates a timeline for bringing UK air quality in line with the World Health Organization’s latest guidelines (from 2021) for the protection of human health by 2030.”
