Former West Midlands Fire Service chief's family: 'We can't see what the brigade did to support him'

Mr Brown was found dead at his home in Wake Green Road, Moseley, in Birmingham, on January 24 last year after experiencing "extreme pressures" relating to escalating press reports relating to claims he did not have appropriate qualifications for the role at West Midlands Fire Service, his personal life and his time serving at London Fire Brigade.

The inquest held at Birmingham and Solihull Coroner's Court on Monday heard evidence that no-one at the service was aware of whether Mr Brown had sought any help for his mental health. He said the chief officer had made reference to having advised others to use the service's occupational health facility.

In response to his evidence Mr Brown's sister Carol asked Mr Sahota: "Was it in your remit to get him help?"

Mr Sahota, who is responsible for service governance, replied that he urged Mr Brown to seek help. 

Miss Brown replied: "I am finding it difficult to understand. I just cannot see what the organisation did  to support Wayne. It seems to be a lack of duty of care."

However, Birmingham and Solihull Coroner Mrs Louise Hunt told her that questions of duty of care was outside the scope of the inquest.

The terms of the scope were to record the direct cause of death,  the immediate events leading  to Mr Brown's death, his intentions at the time of the events, and what if any action was taken by West Midlands Fire Service in relation to safeguarding and supporting him following his complaints of alleged harassment and to investigate those concerns in the time leading to his death. She said it was not in the scope to determine whether any allegations by Mr Brown were true or not.

Mr Sahota also told the hearing he was broadly aware of the service's staff support policy, but not the specifics. He also said he provided pastoral support for the officer, who he described as being "private" and "stoic".  Mr Brown had complained to him about suffering from "racing thoughts, of feeling exhausted and not sleeping properly".

The inquest was told that Mr Brown had lodged a complaint to West Midlands Police about a series of emails, some anonymous, making claims about his conduct. As a result Benjamin Walker, who was present at the inquest, was charged with offences relating to alleged harassment of Mr Brown. The inquest heard that Mr Brown had expressed frustration that the court date had been put back.

After he died the Crown Prosecution Service dropped the charges. 

At the hearing Mr Brown's son Stephen said: "We were always proud of him and his work ethic."

"Family was very important to him. He took his daughter on weekends and he loved spending time with his son."

 Mrs Louise Hunt recorded a conclusion that Mr Brown committed suicide.

She said that concerns about lack of support for senior ranking officers at the fire service would be raised in a Prevention of Future Deaths Report. 

She also gave a warning to "interested parties" to adhere to the rulings of the court as details relating to the circumstances in which Mr Brown was discovered had not been revealed at the hearing were posted online while the inquest was sitting.

• Anyone needing support can call the Samaritans helpline number, 116 123, at any time.