The chief executive of the housing body which ran the home in which a toddler was killed by exposure to mould has been sacked.

A coroner ruled that Awaab Ishak died in December 2020 from a respiratory condition caused by mould in the one-bedroom flat managed by Rochdale Boroughwide Housing (RBH).

Its chief executive, Gareth Swarbrick, has now been removed after days of political pressure.

On Thursday, Mr Swarbrick apologised but said: “Having spoken to the board, I can confirm that I will not be resigning.”

Yet, on Saturday, the representative body chair and vice chair and the board of RBH said in a statement: “The board has taken the decision to remove Gareth Swarbrick from his post as chief executive of RBH with immediate effect.

“We will now work to appoint an external interim chief executive.”

RBH said its “original instincts” were to keep Mr Swarbrick in post in order to “see the organisation through this difficult period and to make the necessary changes”.

However, the board now recognises this is “no longer tenable”.

“As an organisation we are deeply sorry for the death of Awaab and devastated that it happened in one of our homes,” the statement continued.

“We must ensure this can never happen again.

“His death needs to be a wake-up call for everyone in housing, social care and health.”

The coroner noted RBH had made changes in the wake of the tragedy.

“Under new leadership RBH will continue to embed these changes and to continue to drive further improvements to our homes and to our communications with tenants,” the statement said.

RBH vowed to share lessons about the health impact of damp, condensation and mould with the social housing sector and to support sector-wide changes.”

“We will work with other agencies local and national and with central government in implementing the wider changes recommended to them by the coroner.

“We support the Coroner and Housing Ombudsman’s call for the government’s Decent Homes Standard to be strengthened to include damp and mould.

“There will be no further statement at this time.”

‘Defining moment for the housing sector’

Awabb’s death, two days after his second birthday, was caused by “extensive” mould in his family’s flat, a coroner concluded – describing the case as a “defining moment for the housing sector”.

Describing the property, coroner Joanna Kearsley said it was “not equipped for normal day to day living activities, which led to damp and condensation.”

Ms Kearsley said: “How does this happen? How in the UK 2020 does a two-year-old child die due to exposure to mould?

“The issue is not simply a Rochdale problem, nor is damp and mould simply a social housing problem, it is a significant issue in private sector too.

“There is little doubt the tragic death of Awabb Ishak will and should be a defining moment for the housing sector.”

Awabb’s death “must not be in vain”

Speaking after the announcement that Mr Swarbrick would be sacked, Awabb’s family criticised him for failing to resign – and RBH for expressing confidence in him.

A statement read by family lawyer Christian Weaver said: “Following the remarks of the coroner, at the closing of the inquest into their son’s death, namely that this should be a defining moment for the housing sector, that immediate action would be taken by RBH.

“The family were deeply saddened that following this inquest, RBH did nothing but express their confidence in their chief executive, despite in the courtroom, doing everything to indicate that significant changes would be made.

“The fact that RBH’s chief executive had to be sacked as opposed to resign, for the family, speaks volumes.

“However, they find it wholly unacceptable that the board expressed confidence in him in the first place.

“The family still feels that much more needs to be done and a further statement will be released in due course.”

Grieving relatives also thanked the public for their support which “kept them strong at a time when they felt their weakest” and “played a vital role in RBH’s chief executive being sacked.”

“Awabb’s death must not be in vain. They do not want any other family to go through the devastation that they have.”

Accusations of racism

Awabb’s family has accused RBH of racism – insisting they have “no doubt at all” they were treated this way “because we are not from this country”.

They said: “Rochdale Boroughwide Housing we have a message for you – stop discriminating, stop being racist, stop providing unfair treatment to people coming from abroad who are refugees or asylum seekers, stop housing people in homes you know are unfit for human habitation.”

They said of the coroner’s conclusion: “At present, we see nothing to indicate that the death of our son will, in any way, serve as a defining moment.

“Accountability must be done and be seen to be done.

“RBH have an opportunity to demonstrate to society at large, their residents and not least us, as a family, that they understand the gravity of the situation.

“We await further action from RBH.”

Mr Swarbrick said he was “truly devastated” about the tragedy and “the things we got wrong”.

Addressing racism accusations, he added: “As a community owned organisation we support the diverse communities of Rochdale.

“We are proud of the work we do with all our tenants.”

The housing ombudsman is now investigating more mould complaints after the conclusion of the inquest.

‘Very serious questions to answer’

A government source “welcomed” the removal of Mr Swarbrick – but said the board still ‘very serious questions’ to answer.

“It is welcome that Gareth Swarbrick has been removed for his profound failings as RBH CEO, but RBH and their board still have very serious questions to answer.

“Why did they give him their full backing after the coroner’s report and as recently as 24 hours ago?”

The Secretary of State for Levelling Up, Michael Gove, will “continue to take a very close interest in RBH and will stand up for tenants as necessary,” the source said.

Mr Gove earlier this week said it “beggars belief” Mr Swarbrick was still in office.

Rochdale Borough Council leader, Neil Emmott, was among people attending a vigil for Awabb on Saturday afternoon.

Mr Emmott told Sky News of the RBH U-turn: “It’s a strange decision because only 48 hours ago they were backing Mr Swarbrick to the hilt, but I think it is the right decision.

“Let’s remember as well that we’re here today in memory of poor Awabb Ishaq and to stand in solidarity with his family to make sure something like this never happens again.”