Bereaved families call for inquiry into government response to suicide websites
7 hours ago Share Save Shiona McCallum Senior technology reporter Share Save
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Bereaved families are calling for a public inquiry into what they say are "repeated failures" by the UK government to protect vulnerable people from a website promoting suicide. A report by the Molly Rose Foundation says departments were warned 65 times about the online forum, which BBC News is not naming, and others like it but did not act. The suicide prevention charity says at least 133 people have died in the UK as a result of a toxic chemical promoted by the site and similar forums. The government has not said whether it will consider an inquiry but said sites must prevent users from accessing illegal suicide and self-harm content or face "robust enforcement, including substantial fines".
Families and survivors have written to Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer asking him for an inquiry to look into why warnings from coroners and campaigners have been ignored. David Parfett, whose son Tom took his own life in 2021, told the BBC successive governments had offered sympathy but no accountability. "The people who host the suicide platforms to spread their cult-like messages that suicide is normal - and earn money from selling death - continue to be several steps ahead of government ministers and law enforcement bodies," he said. "I can think of no better memorial for my son than knowing people like him are protected from harm while they recover their mental health." David and six other families are being represented by the law firm Leigh Day who have also written a letter to the prime minister highlighting their concerns about the main suicide forum. The letter says victims were groomed online, and tended to be in their early 20s, with the youngest known victim being 13. It argues a public inquiry is needed because coroners' courts cannot institute the changes needed to protect vulnerable people.
'Ignored and dismissed'