The UK government has issued a formal apology and settled a legal claim over the death of nine-year-old Ella Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, whose fatal asthma attack was partly attributed to air pollution by a coroner’s ruling. The settlement, reached with three government departments, was confirmed on Thursday by the law firm representing Ella’s family. The undisclosed sum was agreed upon ahead of a High Court trial, addressing a case that argued Ella’s right to life under the Human Rights Act had been violated.
In a letter to Ella’s mother, Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, ministers from the departments involved expressed condolences, describing Ella’s death as a “tragedy.” They stated, “We again take this opportunity to say we are truly sorry for your loss. To lose a loved one at such a young age is an immeasurable loss.” The ministers also emphasized the new Labour government’s commitment to tackling air pollution with “a comprehensive and ambitious” plan to improve air quality across the UK.
As part of the settlement, government officials also pledged to review and improve how air quality information is communicated to the public, aiming to ensure that vulnerable individuals are better informed to protect themselves from poor air quality.
Ella, who lived in southeast London near a major ring road heavily congested with traffic, suffered from asthma and had been repeatedly exposed to harmful air pollutants throughout her life. In February 2013, she succumbed to acute respiratory failure following a severe asthma attack. Ella had been admitted to the hospital nearly 30 times in the years leading up to her death.
In December 2020, coroner Philip Barlow made a landmark ruling, concluding that air pollution from vehicle emissions contributed to her death. Barlow’s report highlighted the need for legally-binding air quality standards aligned with World Health Organization guidelines, which have since been implemented in the UK.
Rosamund Adoo-Kissi-Debrah, who has since become a vocal advocate for clean air, met with junior environment minister Emma Hardy on Thursday as part of the settlement agreement. Speaking after the meeting, Rosamund expressed her concern over the state of air quality in the UK, describing the issue as a public health crisis. “I have told Ms. Hardy today that so much more needs to be urgently done to improve our air quality,” she said in a statement. She added that she was “ready to assist” in efforts to address air pollution to prevent similar tragedies.
Ella’s case has intensified calls for action on air quality in the UK, bringing attention to the health risks associated with pollution, particularly for children and vulnerable individuals. The government’s apology and settlement mark a significant step but highlight the ongoing challenges in tackling air pollution nationwide.
