Jaden Francois-Esprit: London Fire Commissioner not exposing truth, mother says

Linda Francois has told the BBC a review was "rubbish" and LFB's culture "is not going to change"

The mother of a London Fire Brigade (LFB) firefighter who took his own life claims its commissioner is failing to "expose the truth" of his death.

Jaden Francois-Esprit, 21, died at his home in Wapping, in August 2020.

CMP Solutions Ltd's investigation found "insufficient" evidence that he was bullied or discriminated against.

However, Linda Francois said these findings were "utter rubbish" and LFB's culture "is not going to change".

• Firefighter who took his own life 'not bullied'

• London Fire Brigade has seen a 'lack of change'

LFB commissioner Andy Roe has admitted the organisation had "let him down" due to its culture.

Although Mr Roe apologised, Ms Francois said she and her family felt he was ignorant of "what is he holding himself accountable for".

"Until he exposes the truth of what's really going on within that culture is not going to change because Jaden's colleagues are sitting back watching. They really know what happened," she said.

"Then I would believe that we will make some roads to progress and change for the good."

Jaden Francois-Esprit took his own life three weeks after his 21st birthday

Ms Francois said her son was "quite an innocent soul" who "didn't really believe in, bullying and racism". He was "an easy target" she added, due to his age, dyslexia and being "very keen to do a good job".

Comments 'became relentless'

After he started his training in Harrow in 2019 she said he started "questioning" his treatment.

Jaden would tell her that his colleagues made him make the tea then would "just leave it there".

They would also "make comments" and her son would often tell her "can you believe they've said this to me?"

She added: "What we probably didn't appreciate is the extent to which the comments became a bit relentless."

Ms Francois also pointed out there was a "specific" occasion when he told her a colleague said he had been "mugged by five black guys", while they were in a circle with others including Jaden.

"Jaden questioned why they had to use race - as he felt as though it was directed at him," she explained.

Ms Francois also doesn't feel her son's former colleagues will ever "hold their hands up" to any part they may have played in his struggles and death.

Ms Francois says the independent review contained "so many falsities" about her son's experience

CMP Solution's independent review began on 28 March 2023 concluded on 22 February 2024.

The review did not uphold allegations by his family that he was targeted because of his race and found no evidence Mr Francois-Esprit had been bullied by colleagues or of direct discrimination on the basis of age, race or disability due to his dyslexia and mental health problems.

In a statement the company said it was asked to "conduct an independent investigation to determine if there was any evidence of bullying, harassment, or discrimination of Jaden Matthew Francois-Esprit during his time, as a trainee Firefighter on the Apprenticeship Scheme, at Wembley Fire Station".

It said: "CMP has concluded that there was insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations and therefore none of the allegations were upheld."

Linda believes this review is "utter rubbish".

"I'm quite offended, actually, that they [the independent review] say that he didn't share [his concerns] with his family.

"We contacted his station manager to share that we believed he was being bullied and we shared that he was struggling mentally; we were so worried and concerned about him.

"It was all mentioned at the inquest, there's so many falsities within this report."

'Need for improvement' at LFB

She added irrelevant details were also included in the report such as the fact her son ate sweets and lived in a "little flat", as well as a suggestion that he had financial struggles which she argues the family had already addressed with CMP.

"He was fully supported by his parents financially," she said, adding that his personal circumstances such as his flat were not relevant to their concerns that he was bullied and harassed.

London Fire Commissioner Andy Roe said Mr Francois-Esprit's death "was a shocking tragedy" and that "it was important to understand more about Jaden's lived experience at work in the time leading up to his death and to ensure that his case was fully and properly investigated.

"The comprehensive investigation which took place over the course of a year involved over 40 witness interviews and hundreds of documents submitted.

"[No evidence was found] of direct discrimination, bullying or harassment against Jaden Matthew Francois-Esprit by his colleagues at the brigade because of his age, race, or disability through dyslexia or mental health.

"The report's findings indicate failings of our day-to-day protocols, approaches and systems at the time and reinforce the need for organisational improvement.

"Jaden's death was a turning point for the brigade. We continue to take action that ensures the systems and processes that let him down are improved and where required, changed.

"I am confident that purpose and culture run through all of our transformation work and will continue to drive the changes we are making."

Help and support

If you're affected by any of the issues in this article you can find details of organisations who can help via the BBC Action Line.

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