A FATHER was “hounded” by the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) for money he did not owe in the months before he took his own life, a pre-inquest review has heard.

Rail depot worker Gavin Briggs was found dead in Little Somborne, near Stockbridge, on July 3 last year.

His father, Ian Briggs, told the hearing in Winchester that his son had been chased by the CMS for £26,000 which he said was based on incorrect figures.

He added that his 40-year-old son, from Welwyn Garden City, Hertfordshire, was also facing pressures from his employment with Hitachi at the North Pole rail depot in London where he was undergoing a probation review.

Mr Briggs called on the coroner, Jason Pegg, to take into account documents and evidence from a witness to show the validity of the CMS claim.

But Mr Pegg said this was beyond the remit of an inquest which could only look at the state of mind of the deceased and not the “whys and wherefores” of any concerns.

Mr Briggs said: “From the evidence I have obtained and presented to this inquest, I believe an investigation should be carried out by the coroner’s office. The CMS played a massive part in the state of mind of my son when he took his own life.

“I realise I will never see the people I hold responsible for my son’s death be brought to justice. Had the CMS done its job properly, the last year of Gavin’s life would not have been the same. I am trying to ensure this organisation doesn’t put people’s lives at risk.

“It’s the responsibility of the coroner’s court to ensure that any company that has made mistakes do not make these mistakes again.”

He added that he understood a report would be published soon, linking the CMS to 1,000 deaths a year.

Mr Briggs added that Hitachi had taken major steps to amend its practices to prevent any reoccurrence of the situation involving his son.

Mr Pegg said the full inquest, to be held on May 17, would hear evidence on how the CMS and Hitachi, as well as the relationship with his partner, was affecting Mr Briggs’ state of mind at the time of his death.

He told Mr Briggs’ father: “I have no power, it does not fall within my remit to investigate the figures presented to your son and required by him to pay, that is not my function.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said that the CMS was not an interested person in the inquest as no direct evidence relating to the organisation would form part of the inquest.

He said: “Our thoughts are with Mr Brigg’s family and friends at this time.

“We have not been called by the coroner to give evidence to this inquest, nor will it hear evidence about the Child Maintenance Service, but we will co-operate fully if we are called to do so.”

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