Fiona Jane Garrett and her son Joshua Robbins

RELATIVES of a young man who died by falling from a balcony are calling on whoever is elected as MP for Holborn and St Pancras to commit to better safety checks.

The No More Falls and The Joshua Test campaigns have been set up by parents of Joshua Robbins who died, aged 23, after a railing gave way on the fifth floor of Thurston Dwellings in Covent Garden.

The campaigners are calling for regular checks of communal railings and balconies and put out a check list for candidates in the October 8 by-election and want voters to press the MP hopefuls on what they would do.

Speaking before Labour selected a candidate, Josh’s mother Fiona Jane Garrett, said: “All three confirmed Labour candidates for Holborn & St Pancras have now been briefed on No More Falls and The Joshua Test, and I’ve put the same question to each of them: If selected and elected, will you carry forward the engagement begun by Sir Keir Starmer’s office and commit to practical parliamentary action for the risk-based inspection, testing, maintenance, verification and recording of residential balustrades and barriers?”

It was an important local issue, but it went far beyond one constituency, she said, adding that Sir Keir Starmer had “treated our family and campaign with kindness, compassion and seriousness” since Joshua’s death in January. “They offered practical support during an unimaginably difficult time, took the time to understand the circumstances surrounding Joshua’s death and engaged constructively with our proposals…” she said. “In public life, support is measured not only by words, but by whether people are prepared to listen, act and remain engaged. We are sincerely grateful that Sir Keir and his office did all three.”

The Extra reported in July on a pre-inquest review at St Pancras Coroner’s Court being told that the police were in talks with the Crown Prosecution Service about bringing a corporate manslaughter case against the social housing provider, Islington and Shoreditch Housing Association. The court heard how “erosion” of steel in the structure of railings was at the heart of the inquiry.

A full inquest is expected to be heard early next year.

ISHA has said it is cooperating fully with the investigation.