A non-statutory inquiry into the death of Zane
Gbangbola will be set up, Environment Secretary has announced
today (Monday 13 July 2026).
Zane tragically died at the age of seven in February 2014 at his
family home in Chertsey, Surrey. The Prime Minister
and Defra ministers have met with Zane's family to
listen to their concerns and to better understand what they
would like an inquiry to achieve.
The inquiry will consider the circumstances around
Zane's death. It will also investigate how public
services worked together during the incident, and the treatment
of Zane's family in the aftermath.
Dr Sandie Okoro OBE, a distinguished lawyer
and public leader, has been appointed to
chair the inquiry. Dr Okoro
will act independently from the government
and will have access to subject matter and
technical experts throughout the inquiry.
The government is committed to responding publicly to
any recommendations made by the inquiry.
Zane's parents, Nicole Lawler and Kye Gbangbola,
said:
We have campaigned tirelessly for truth since Zane's death,
and welcome the keeping of Sir Keir's promise of justice for
seven-year-old Zane. The death of a child should never be
political.
We will never win, Zane will never win, he has been taken from
us, but today we pray that this is a step closer to exposing the
lies that dishonour our precious son, securing the truth, and
preventing further deaths.
Prime Minister Sir said:
When I met Zane's family, I was deeply moved by their strength,
dignity and determination after more than a decade of
unimaginable grief.
No family should feel that their questions have gone unanswered
or that they are in a battle with the very services that should
be there to support them.
This inquiry will ensure their concerns are properly examined,
provide an understanding of what happened, and identify the
changes needed to prevent others facing the same experience.
Environment Secretary said:
Meeting Zane's family and hearing their story was deeply
moving.
The non-statutory inquiry we're setting up will investigate what
happened and ensure lessons are learnt from this tragedy.
Chair of the inquiry, Dr Sandie Okoro OBE
said:
I am deeply honoured to have been appointed to chair this
independent inquiry. I will treat this responsibility with the
care and seriousness that it deserves.
The death of a child is always a profound tragedy. My
thoughts remain with Zane Gbangbola's family who have
waited a long a time for this inquiry.
I intend to engage with Zane's family and other key stakeholders
on the draft terms of reference in the coming weeks, with a view
to commencing a rigorous and fair inquiry into the circumstances
of Zane's death this autumn.
The inquiry's terms of reference will
be published in due course.
