The tragic death of 16-year-old Ben Leonard during a Scouting trip in North Wales continues to be a source of immense grief and frustration for his family. Ben fell 200 feet to his death at Great Orme in Llandudno while on an unsupervised hike with two friends, having strayed from the main group. An inquest jury concluded that Ben was unlawfully killed due to the negligence of the Scout Association and the actions of the most senior Scout leader and an assistant leader on the trip. However, legal restrictions prevent the public naming of these individuals in the inquest’s conclusions. This verdict has been upheld by the High Court, rejecting an appeal by the Scout leaders against the unlawful killing verdict. Ben’s mother, Jackie Leonard, expressed relief at the High Court’s decision, emphasizing the family’s need to move forward while forever cherishing Ben’s memory. The family’s quest for justice has been a protracted and arduous journey, marked by two previous aborted inquests before finally reaching a conclusion.
A significant point of contention revolves around the Scout leaders’ refusal to acknowledge their role in Ben’s death. Jackie Leonard maintains that the leaders involved “don’t think they’ve done anything wrong,” even after the inquest and subsequent judicial review. This lack of accountability deepens the family’s pain and fuels their belief that the Scout Association is still not fully confronting the facts of the case. The inquest revealed that Ben and his friends took a different path from the rest of the Scouts, unsupervised by any leaders who had reportedly “lost” the three boys. Ben ultimately found himself on a narrow ledge, described as an animal track, where he lost his footing and tragically plummeted to his death.
The inquest also exposed attempts by the Scout Association to mislead Ben’s family, motivated by concerns over potential reputational damage. The family was told that legal challenges against the Scouts are futile and that the organization is effectively untouchable. This revelation further eroded the family’s trust in the organization and reinforced their determination to pursue justice for Ben. The assistant coroner for North Wales referred the Scout Association and an unnamed employee to the police for investigation into potential conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, further highlighting the gravity of the situation.
The Scout Association, which boasts a vast network of half a million young participants and over 145,000 adult volunteers, finally issued a public apology and accepted responsibility for Ben’s death at the start of the last inquest. However, the family’s ongoing struggle for accountability suggests that this apology has not fully addressed the deep-seated issues that contributed to the tragedy. The High Court’s decision to uphold the inquest’s findings underscores the severity of the failures that led to Ben’s death and reinforces the need for the Scout Association to implement meaningful changes to prevent similar incidents in the future.
The Leonard family’s fight for justice exposes a critical need for increased transparency and accountability within large organizations like the Scout Association. The perceived attempts to protect the organization’s reputation at the expense of truth and accountability raise serious questions about the organization’s culture and priorities. The family’s experience underscores the importance of robust safeguarding measures and thorough training for Scout leaders, ensuring that they are adequately equipped to handle the responsibilities entrusted to them.
Ben Leonard’s death serves as a tragic reminder of the devastating consequences that can arise from a lack of proper supervision and a failure to prioritize the safety and well-being of young people. The ongoing legal battle and the family’s unwavering pursuit of justice highlight the enduring impact of this loss and the long road ahead for the Leonard family as they navigate their grief and seek meaningful change within the Scout Association. The hope remains that Ben’s legacy will be one of improved safety standards and a renewed commitment to the welfare of all young people participating in Scouting activities.
