New inquest opens after eight-year fight

MAM TOOK HER OWN LIFE AFTER BENEFITS CUT

- POPPK KENNEDY

A SECOND inquest into the death of a mam who took her own life after her benefits were cut will begin today.

Jodey Whiting died on February 21, 2017, following the termination of her Employment Support Allowance (ESA) by the Department of Work and Pensions.

The 42-year-old mam had multiple physical and mental illnesses which left her housebound and entirely reliant on welfare benefits.

For five years, Jodey’s mother, Joy Dove, fought to have a fresh inquest into the mam-of-nine’s death to examine the role of the DWP.

It was in March 2023, that Joy was granted permission for a second inquest at the Court of Appeal.