Suicide man could no longer bear 'immoral' council decisions
A PLYMOUTH City Council worker who said he could no longer bear to be involved in "immoral" council decisions threw himself off the Tamar Bridge, an inquest heard.
Julian Grail, aged 56, from Saltash, was an officer working in the council chief executive's office before he plunged to his death in April this year. In his suicide note that he left for his wife, Mr Grail wrote that he "just couldn't contemplate the thought of another day in that forlorn place", the inquest heard.
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Julian Grail
Andrew Kendall, Tamar bridge supervisor, told the hearing that CCTV footage showed a man walking on to the bridge from the Saltash side shortly after midnight on April 17 and climbing over the railings before jumping. The inquest heard that Mr Grail's widow, Joanne, a headteacher, found a suicide note on the morning of April 17 and at 11.15am the body of Mr Grail was discovered by police on mud flats near the China Fleet Club in Saltash.
The inquest heard that Mr Grail, who once stood for election as an independent candidate for Saltash Town Council and was heavily involved in community work, was seconded to the chief executive's office in early 2006 and was then employed there as a performance and planning officer. Mrs Grail said: "In 2008 Julian began to voice grave concerns about his job." She said that in a long discussion on April 13, Mr Grail told her that: "He was party to actions that were morally wrong."
When asked by Dr Emma Carlyon, Cornwall County Coroner, about the issues her husband faced at work, Mrs Grail said: "He had a very strong sense of fair play and he began to think those principles didn't sit alongside the job he was asked to do.
"He was party to things that he thought were immoral. Sometimes huge amounts of money were involved."
Mrs Grail read the suicide note left by her husband which said: "Please do not take any responsibility for this mess. Take care of these fine children as you always have done. I just can't contemplate the thought of another day in that forlorn place."
Dr Carlyon recorded a verdict of suicide and said: "At the time of his death he was suffering from work-related stresses."
The inquest into Mr Grail's death, held yesterday in Truro, also heard that two grievance procedures had been carried out against him, one of which was upheld and resulted in a written warning.
Mrs Grail told the hearing that her husband worked in social services for over 20 years. She said a disagreement with a female member of staff at Plymouth City Council led to an internal discipline procedure in February 2005. She said that another grievance was brought against Mr Grail in February 2006 but this was not upheld.
In a statement issued by Mrs Grail following the inquest she described her husband as "a person of total integrity, immense decency, utter compassion, enormous sensitivity and uncompromising, unflinching principle."
She said: "Over the last few years he struggled to come to terms with aspects of his professional life that he saw as unjust and unfair."
Nobody from Plymouth City Council attended yesterday's hearing. A spokesman later issued a statement which read: "Julian was a highly valued and respected member of staff whose tragic loss is still deeply felt by his colleagues and the many friends he made here at the council over the years."
The spokesman refused to comment on any suggestions of "immorality" at the council.
31 Comments
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by fay, plymouth
Tuesday, October 14 2008, 5:52PM
“maybe he discovered the large amount of money shifting through plymouth local authorty in planing this council is corupet no wonder they got zero score last year and dont forget there new hobbie stealing children this council needs to be investated.as for work induced stress is that a excuse”
by Mr Blue, Saltash
Friday, September 26 2008, 6:07PM
“Work related stress is a disability which should have been dealt with appropriately under the DDA, unfortunately it seems that Mr Grail wasn't afforded this or any other duty of care. Judging by the documented comments bullying, harassment, intimidation and inappropriate management seems to be rife within this authority. I urge someone to investigate the management practices in PCC and for any other people who have had similar experiences to provide the evidence. Surely someone is accountable.
Mr Blue”
by LJW, Plymouth
Friday, September 26 2008, 6:03PM
“What do you expect from this faceless council management. Come the next election get them out!”
by Jenna, Exeter
Friday, September 26 2008, 12:48PM
“A very sad state of affairs. A few months ago I was feeling in a similar situation working in a different council. There are some good eggs in there that help but when fighting against the backwards management of a system stuck in its inefficient ways it doesn't really help. There are some good councils out there, but they are few and far between. More and more money is spent on marketing and reporting on performance of the council to appear good than actually making it good. The public sector is too big to say enough is enough and change it.”
by BEN, PLYMOUTH
Friday, September 26 2008, 11:07AM
“It is a real tragedy that this family have had to suffer because of the bullying and arrogant practices of PCC. This is not the first time I have heard of this kind of behaviour from the council. I know of cases where PCC have wrecked families lives and because of the lack of legal aid these days, the council relies on people not being able to get the legal assistance they need to fight this big and publically funded (local taxpayers money) organisation. As such, the council feel that they can do what they like as people will 'go away' due to the lack of money for legal support and all will be hushed up. I hope there will be a full and independant enquiry by the government into what has gone on here and I sincerely hope that the family gets the answers they need. Clearly from some of the comments by other readers, this bullying still goes on. No doubt PCC will be trying to hush this one up to. No doubt they will soon be applying to the high court to seek an injunction against any attempt of a public enquiry as they have done so before when they have been acussed of negligence. Their tribute to Mr Grail was as shallow and insincere as the way that they treated him. Their non attendance at the inquest only further substantiates how meaningless their so called tribute was. Should it be found that PCC have acted inappropriately or unlawfully, I hope the family use the full force of the legal system to sue for damages in the memory of Mr Grail. He seemed a decent and honest man (qualities hard to find today) who's career was thwarted because of his integrity. I hope that your local MP will also offer to support your cause. That's what we pay them to do!
It only remains to say to Plymouth City Council 'SHAME ON YOU'.”
by PCC Insider, Civic Centre
Friday, September 26 2008, 5:17AM
“From the Council's internal website (http://www.plymouth.gov.uk/staffnewsitem-2?newsid=177506): "We have issued a statement to the media but as you will no doubt appreciate, it would be inappropriate for us to respond further to the media interest at this sensitive time for Julian¿s family and friends."
Ah yes, PCC is keeping quiet for reasons of sensitivity rather than to avoid prejudicing any future investigation! That said, I'm sure they have nothing to fear - the recent shredder-frenzy in the Chief Executive's department will have dealt with any potentially embarassing documents.”
by Mr Blonde, Saltash
Thursday, September 25 2008, 11:19PM
“Work related stress is a disability which should have been dealt with appropriately under the DDA, unfortunately it seems that Mr Grail wasn't afforded this or any other duty of care. Judging by the comments submitted previously bullying, harassment, intimidation and inappropriate management seems to be rife within this authority. I urge someone to investigate the management practices in PCC and for any other people who have had similar experiences to provide the evidence. Surely someone is accountable.
Mr Blue”
by Mr Blue, Saltash
Thursday, September 25 2008, 11:08PM
“Work related stress is a disability which should have been dealt with appropriately under the DDA, unfortunately it seems that Mr Grail wasn't afforded this or any other duty of care. Judging by the comments submitted bullying, harassment, intimidation and inappropriate management seems to be rife within this authority. I urge someone to investigate the management practices in PCC and for any other people who have had similar experiences to provide the evidence. Surely someone is accountable.
Mr Blue”
by Former Royal, PL3
Thursday, September 25 2008, 10:31PM
“Im deeply shocked by this. Someone needs to investigate this matter further, the problem is, most of the people who would be asked to investigate are probably on the fiddle themselves. ALL COUNCILS ARE CORRUPT,they should be held accountable, moreover there needs to be a whistleblower or 20. I am so sorry for your loss.”
by Anon, Cornwall
Thursday, September 25 2008, 8:36PM
“This is a terrible waste. Someone who was such a community man, who loved his unconditionally and obviously gave his all into his job!
I used to temp in the council and was amazed at some of the things that went on. Managers who did no work and employees expecting to fill empty positions as well as their own to name a couple.
I hope the council have a good hard look into their duty of care! This should never have been allowed to happen! My sympathies and thoughts to the family.”