Ben Leonard: Mum whose son died on Scouting trip calls for public inquiry

A mother whose teenage son died on a Scouting trip in 2018 has called for a public inquiry into the youth organization.

Ben Leonard from Stockport, greater manchesterdied after falling 60m (200ft) from the northern cliff Wales.

The 16-year-old suffered serious head injuries at the Great Orme Stadium in Llandudno on August 26, 2018.

A two-month investigation into his deathIt was concluded last month that Ben had been unlawfully killed.

His mother Jackie has joined the families of Lee Craddock, Scott Fanning and Roy Thornton in launching a petition calling for A public inquiry was launched into their deaths on a Boy Scout trip in the late 1990s.

Ms Leonard’s petition said the boys’ deaths could have been avoided “if the leaders in their community had followed the correct procedures”.

“Changes need to be made to stop more children dying,” she added.

The scout leader lost the trio after Ben and two friends took a different path to their peers, a hearing at Manchester Civil Court was heard.

This is the third investigation into Ben’s death after the previous two failed.

The Scout Association admitted responsibility for his death for the first time at the start of a recent investigation.

The coroner has referred the organization and the employee, who cannot be named due to a court order, to North Wales Police for investigation on suspicion of conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

A spokesman for the Scout Association told Sky News: “Keeping young people safe is our top priority.

“We monitor all incidents closely to ensure we create the safest possible environment for the thousands of young people who participate in Scouting each year.

“We are carefully reviewing the coroner’s advice and will make all possible further changes to prevent such a tragic incident from happening again.”