An MP has expressed concerns over prolonged delays in the Didcot Power Station collapse investigation, labelling them as ‘insulting’.
- The Didcot disaster occurred in February 2016, resulting in four fatalities during demolition preparations.
- Families of the victims are awaiting closure, with significant delay in investigation outcomes and legal proceedings causing distress.
- Corporate and gross negligence manslaughter offences are under scrutiny by Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive.
- The investigation’s complexity is acknowledged, yet the lack of progress remains troubling for affected parties.
On the 23rd of February 2016, the boiler house of the decommissioned Didcot Power Station in Oxfordshire unexpectedly collapsed, tragically taking the lives of four workers. Despite the passage of eight years, the investigation into this incident remains unresolved, prompting Rotherham’s Labour MP, Sarah Champion, to question the new policing minister on the matter. Criticising the ‘insulting’ delay, Champion highlighted the adverse impact on victims’ families who are enduring prolonged uncertainty without justice.
The collapse led to the immediate death of Michael Collings, aged 53. It wasn’t until late August and early September 2016 that the bodies of Chris Huxtable, 34, Ken Cresswell, 57, and John Shaw, 61, were recovered from the rubble. These men, employed by Coleman & Company, were in the process of preparing the structure for demolition when it partially collapsed, also injuring five others.
The prolonged investigation by Thames Valley Police and the Health and Safety Executive is examining potential charges of corporate manslaughter, gross negligence manslaughter, and serious breaches of the Health and Safety Act. Diana Johnson, the new policing minister, has been urged to provide clarity regarding the investigation’s timeline and expected conclusion. Champion stressed the necessity of a definitive understanding of the incident to safeguard against future risks in the demolition sector.
In a recent communication, Ken Cresswell’s daughter, Sadie, expressed her ongoing hope for justice, drawing attention to the continued emotional and psychological burden faced by her family. Similarly, Tia Huxtable, daughter of Chris Huxtable who was eleven at the time of her father’s death, voiced the family’s yearning for answers, emphasising the trauma endured by all affected relatives.
Thames Valley Police, represented by deputy chief constable Ben Snuggs, reaffirmed their commitment to the investigation, acknowledging its vast scale and complexity. Snuggs assured that families are regularly updated and recognised the investigation’s considerable duration and its toll on those grieving.
Nevertheless, the Home Office refrained from commenting on the issue, while Coleman & Company consistently maintained their stance of non-liability, a point reiterated in their recent financial statements. As the eighth anniversary of the recovery of Cresswell’s body nears, there remains a pressing need for resolution.
The unresolved Didcot inquiry continues to challenge both legal authorities and affected families seeking closure.
