Appeal victory for dad of dead Keith man
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THE father of a former Keith man who was found dead last year has had a complaint upheld against a coroner.
Murdo Urquhart made the complaint after a breakdown in communication led to his son being cremated without the opportunity of a second post mortem.
Mr Urquhart’s son Ramsay died alone in a London flat in April 2019.
Just days beforehand the police had gone to the 31-year-old's home after he received 31 threatening phone calls.
Murdo Urquhart successfully appealed against a previous decision by the Independent Office of the Police Conduct (IOPC).
The IOPC has now ruled that he was not given the proper information that would have led to an independent post mortem on his son’s remains.
Ramsay Urquhart had been living with his parents in Aberdeenshire up until two weeks before his death, when he moved to London to find a job.
His body was found in a room in a home of multiple occupancy by police, alerted by his worried family.
They were concerned about his mental health and have since learned Ramsay received death threats in the days leading up to the tragedy.
But the police officers who found his body – covered in blood – said there was nothing suspicious.
Mr Urquhart refuses to accept this.
The 67-year-old believes his son’s death was an “unlawful killing” and says he will not rest until he has justice for Ramsay, a former Ukip candidate and English teacher.
The IOPC ruling said: “Whilst a second post mortem was not specifically denied by Coroner’s Office staff, it is my opinion that you were not provided with the correct guidance and information in respect of how to proceed with your request, which ultimately resulted in a second post mortem not being able to take place if you deemed it to be necessary.
“In my view, this was also likely due to a breakdown in communications between you and the Coroner’s Office staff.”
The ruling continued: “Having suffered the loss of your son, it was the responsibility of staff to give advice and guidance to members of the deceased’s family in difficult times.
"It is also important that the family’s wishes are granted where operationally, legally and ethically possible.”
Mr Urquhart said the fight to have an inquest continued.
A spokesman for the deputy chief coroner in England and Wales said: “The investigation and inquest hearing have now been transferred to Sunderland, and a hearing listed in due course.”
