A parliamentary security officer took his own life after being subjected to workplace bullying and being held responsible for an intruder entering the Westminster estate, an inquest has revealed.
Background of the Incident
The family of former police inspector Andy Fusher, 56, disclosed that he felt overwhelmed by a heavier workload compared to his colleagues in what they described as a 'toxic' work environment. After being signed off work due to stress on January 7 this year, the father of two was discovered hanged by his wife, Hayley, at their family home nine days later.
Testimony from Family Members
Mr Fusher's son, David, told the inquest: 'He would share with me the pressures of high workloads, the toxic environment, and the bullying in the workplace. I was informed he had about 15 ongoing projects related to security measures. He believed other colleagues had a lighter workload. He felt this was a toxic working environment with staff behaving poorly or unsupportively.'
Temporary Inspector Sam Knott from Essex Police, where Mr Fusher served for 24 years before transferring to the Metropolitan Police, indicated that his stress 'centred around' an intruder gaining access to the Houses of Parliament. Mr Knott stated that Mr Fusher, who was also undergoing a separate six-month disciplinary period, was 'made a scapegoat' for the security breach.
Details of the Security Breach
While specifics of the incident were not disclosed at the inquest, it is believed to relate to a case from last year, reported by the Daily Mail, where a man evaded armed guards to enter the estate. The intruder, who was experiencing a psychotic episode at the time, later pleaded guilty to trespassing on a protected site after reaching the House of Lords and is awaiting sentencing.
Mr Knott described Mr Fusher as 'an incredibly proud man' and noted that the six-month disciplinary period 'really changed him because he had a clean career with Essex Police and the Met.' He added: 'I can only imagine he got himself into a thought process and could not get out of it. If there is evidence his place of work contributed to his death, that should be investigated by the Government. He was struggling with declining mental health due to work factors, which led to his suicide.'
Daughter's Account
Mr Fusher's daughter, Hannah, stated that her father was 'blamed' for the trespass incident, even though it 'was seen by a few people.' She said in a statement: 'He received a warning, and this was a catalyst for a decline in his mental health. He was not the same after that... he was miserable.'
Mr Fusher joined the Metropolitan Police in 2015, with his final role being in security at the Houses of Parliament. He was a colleague of unarmed constable Keith Palmer, who was stabbed to death by terrorist Khalid Masood in March 2017 while trying to prevent a breach of Westminster security. Mr Fusher's son told the hearing that PC Palmer's death had 'weighed heavily' on his father.
Wife's Testimony
Mr Fusher's wife, Hayley, said her husband had become 'very stressed over a high workload and poor management' at work. She recounted that they went on holiday together at the end of December, but on his first day back at work in January, he was 'crying to me on the phone.' Mrs Fusher told Essex Coroner's Court that her husband felt 'up and down' after being signed off work, sometimes complaining he 'felt low' while at other times appearing 'bubbly and chatty.'
At one point, he told her: 'You will be better off without me,' but then said he didn't mean it, and she thought nothing more of it. She said her husband had 'felt positive' about attending a counselling session booked for the day he passed away, but she found him dead when she returned home. Mrs Fusher stated that her husband felt operations at his work 'were not run well' and that there was 'a toxic working environment.' She believed that 'had he not been subject to events in his workplace, he would still be here today.' She described Mr Fusher, of Maldon in Essex, as a 'caring, funny, loyal and passionate' man who was 'devoted to his family and friends.'
Coroner's Conclusion
Recording a conclusion of suicide, Essex senior coroner Lincoln Brookes told the hearing: 'I am quite satisfied that Mr Fusher felt very anxious and very stressed by things in his workplace, and he felt he had quite a burdensome workload.' The coroner added that Mr Fusher 'felt he was being treated differently and unfairly, and this was taking a toll on his wellbeing and his mental health.'
Parliament's Response
Following the inquest, a parliamentary spokesman said: 'Andy was a valued colleague who made an important contribution to the security and safety of everyone at Parliament. He is greatly missed by all who worked alongside him, and our thoughts remain with his family, friends, and all those who knew him.' The spokesman added: 'Parliamentary security work hard to keep Parliament safe, and we are continuing to support our colleagues during this difficult time.'
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