The High Court has quashed the original inquest into the death of 14-year-old Jools Sweeney and ordered a new one, a decision his mother, Ellen Roome, says is a "turning point" for online child safety.
Ruling and Reaction
Lord Justice Warby and Mrs Justice Heather Williams ruled on Thursday that a new inquest was "desirable in the interests of justice" because there were "various potentially relevant lines of inquiry" not previously considered. The original 23-minute inquest in Gloucestershire recorded a narrative conclusion without hearing live evidence.
Ms Roome said: "The legal system has finally recognised that there are questions which deserve to be answered." She added: "Every bereaved family deserves to know that every possible avenue, including a child's digital life, has been properly investigated. We hope this is a turning point, not only in finding the truth about Jools, but in making the online world safer for every child."
Background and Legal Action
Jools, from Gloucestershire, died in April 2022. Ms Roome has raised concerns that he died through an online challenge gone wrong and took legal action against the senior coroner for Gloucestershire. Her lawyers told the hearing that new evidence had emerged concerning the role of social media, particularly TikTok, and that several lines of inquiry had not been pursued.
Harry Lambert, for Ms Roome, said in written submissions that a new inquest should follow a "considerable body of new evidence and a number of investigative insufficiencies," especially regarding TikTok. He also noted that Jools had been contacted by a fraudulent Instagram account operated by an African crime gang shortly before his death, and phone evidence suggested a "possible attempt at extortion or 'sextortion'."
No Opposition From Coroner or TikTok
The coroner and TikTok did not oppose the bid to reopen the inquest. Anthony Jones, for TikTok, said the company could "certainly see the force" in the application.
Ms Roome is one of five British parents separately suing TikTok in the United States after their children's deaths. She has been advocating for a change in law to force social media firms to hand over children's data to bereaved parents.
Ofcom Investigation
Thursday's ruling coincided with Ofcom announcing an investigation into TikTok over children's exposure to harmful content, questioning the platform's age-checking methods. Ms Roome said this showed platforms are "not stepping up enough" to protect children.
Gary Miller, a partner at Mischon de Reya representing Ms Roome, said current investigative processes "are not fit for purpose in this new world," which "deprives parents of the answers they are entitled to." He called for protocols and powers to be "thoroughly reviewed, updated, and harmonised across all agencies."
Miller described the ruling as "stunning" and said it "lights the taper of the firework that is ready to move." He advised other parents: "Don't accept no, don't accept that it can't be done. Put your hand up and make a noise."
