Pressure is mounting on Gareth Swarbrick to step down following the death of Rochdale toddler Awaab Ishak. The toddler died following prolonged exposure to mould, which led to breathing difficulties resulting in cardiac arrest on December 21, 2020.
RBH described the death as a 'big learning experience' during the inquest and says it is now spending £1.2 million improving homes on the Freehold estate. Yet the work only started after the Manchester Evening News exposed conditions families were suffering in over the summer, more than 18 months on from the tot's death.
The housing association's position has sparked fury among senior politicians. Housing secretary Michael Gove questioned why Rochdale Boroughwide Housing's (RBH) chief executive was still in post on Tuesday evening following the conclusion of Awaab's inquest.
READ MORE: No apology, a last minute confession, massive pay rises - the housing bosses who failed Awaab Ishak
On Wednesday, Labour veteran Diane Abbott MP tweeted: "In the end cuts & failure to strengthen the law is responsible for Awaab Ishak dying from mould. But Michael Gove is right about one thing. CEO of the housing association, Gareth Swarbrick, should resign."
Mr Gove spoke Mr Swarbrick about Awaab's case yesterday, while the Housing Ombudsman has also launched a fresh probe into RBH following three more 'medium or high risk' cases involving damp and mould. Coun Daniel Meredith, Rochdale Council's cabinet member for highways and housing, was previously ousted from RBH's representative body after high-profile criticism of the organisation's plans for the Seven Sisters.
Now, he has written a letter to Mr Swarbrick urging him to resign. The letter said: "Dear Mr Swarbrick, As you may expect I am writing to you about the tragic case of Awaab Ishak and the failings of your organisation.
"You will be aware that over several years the council has raised multiple concerns about delayed repairs, housing standards and a culture of unconcern that has now been exposed by the ruling of the coroner in this case. As the lead member for housing in our borough I feel that I am left with little opinion but to ask you to reflect on your position.
"I say this because I have no confidence that you and your board are equipped to win back the confidence of your tenants, the council, the wider housing sector and the government. In the meantime, I ask that a representative of RBH attend the next meeting of the Communities, Regeneration and Economy Overview and Scrutiny Committee on 5 December to outline your response to this tragic case and how your organisation intends to win back the trust of our communities."
Greater Manchester Tenants Union is also calling on 'disgraced chief executive' Mr Swarbrick to resign. A statement from the union added: "Awaab and his family deserve justice. Someone needs to be held to account. The coroner's verdict did not go far enough in establishing this. They refuse to say sorry, they refuse to take the blame. Swarbrick 'learning hard lessons' isn't enough."
Meanwhile, more than a thousand people have so far given their backing to a Manchester Evening News campaign to make sure no tenant can suffer in the same conditions Awaab faced. Since being launched yesterday, hundreds have signed an online petition for Awaab's Law, while Greater Manchester MPs are giving the campaign their backing.
They include Tony Lloyd, Labour MP for Rochdale, who also raised Awaab's death in the House of Commons this week. Awaab's Law would strict timeframes for social landlords to deal with damp and mould, making sure work is carried out in a week when health concerns are raised, and give tenants clear information about their rights.
Mr Lloyd said: "Awaab Ishak's death was unforgivable. He was failed by RBH, the landlord of his home that the family were asked to live in. We've got to make sure that this cannot happen again.
"There needs to be an inquiry into what went wrong, but importantly the law has to got make sure that landlords, both social and private, cannot ignore the health risks of damp and mould. I applaud the ambitions of the M.E.N.'s campaign, which is to make sure that no child can ever be put at risk in this way again."
RBH and Mr Swarbrick have been approached for comment.
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