17 January 2022

Before HM Coroner Graeme Irvine
Walthamstow Coroner’s Court (remote access only)

Opened Monday 17 January 2022
Scheduled for up to four weeks

Jason Lennon was experiencing a mental health crisis when he was subject to a period of restraint by security guards and the Metropolitan Police inside London’s ExCeL centre on 31 July 2019. He died shortly after. The inquest into his death has opened today (Monday 17 January).

Jason was a 37 year old Black man, born and raised in Jamaica, who came to the UK to work in the early 2000s. He is described as a kind and loving individual who is deeply missed by his daughter, mother, siblings, and church community in London.

Jason, who had a history of mental ill health, was living in supported accommodation at the time of his death, with support from East London NHS Foundation Trust.

On the morning of 31 July 2019, the Metropolitan police were called to the ExCeL Centre in London following alerts that a man was in a distressed state. When the police arrived, Jason had been restrained by Secure-Ops Security guards.

The police continued the restraint before realising that Jason was unconscious. They administered CPR until the London Ambulance Service arrived. He was taken to hospital but pronounced dead a short time later.   

In looking at everything that took place that day, the inquest will explore whether Jason was receiving the right care before he died, the impact of the restraint and the emergency care Jason received. 

ENDS

NOTES TO EDITORS
For further information, interview requests and to note your interest, please contact Lucy McKay on 020 7263 1111 or [email protected]

To arrange remote access contact the coroner's court directly here.

The family are represented by INQUEST Lawyers Group members Carolynn Gallwey of Bhatt Murphy solicitors and Fiona Murphy of Doughty Street Chambers. They are supported by INQUEST caseworker Caroline Finney.

Other Interested persons represented include the Metropolitan Police Service, East London NHS Foundation Trust, Secure Ops Security, the Security Industry Authority, the ExCel Centre, Look Ahead and the Independent Office for Police Conduct.