As mentioned, last month, lawyers sent a letter “before action” to the Hertfordshire Coroner setting out the grounds to open an inquest into my brother’s death as being unlawful. This is the first stage of a judicial review – the legal mechanism for challenging in decisions made by public bodies. Unfortunately despite these submissions, which included reports from Diabetes UK and a leading Diabetes Consultant, the Coroner still declined to open an inquest. So it is now with the courts. I am now asking the High Court to quash the Coroner’s refusal so that a full and fair inquest can take place, and issues of wider public concern on benefit sanctioning vulnerable people are properly considered. https://www.leighday.co.uk/News/News-2017/February-2017/Judicial-review-and-human-rights-challenge-launche Going to Court is an option of last resort but feel compelled to use every effort to ensure that the impact of the DWP imposed benefit sanction on David's death is properly and independently investigated. I believe the DWP continue to impose sanctions on diabetic benefit claimants and for my brother's sake and importantly for others now at risk, I hope the High Court grant permission to challenge the Coroner's decision. Today I appeared on the BBC’s Victoria Derbyshire Show entitled “Benefit sanctions increase in Severity” to talk about David’s case. Also Charlotte Hughes told how daughter, who was 23 weeks pregnant was sanctioned. Bob Blackman spoke for the government on Benefit Sanctions. See link below https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fBJMiPSDYtE I would like to say a huge thank you, for your incredible generosity and continued support - without you all this campaign would not be possible. I have extended the deadline to give time to reach our financial target and would be most grateful for you to share this page and also if able to help raise funds to hit this target. You will find the link below https://www.crowdjustice.org/case/david-clapson/ Thank you again for the many wonderful and supportive messages received, it has meant so much in this campaign to help stop this cruelty continuing. Best Gill PS: feel free to get in touch direct at: gill.a4u@outlook.com