TC09644 ****** - [2025] UKFTT 01121 (TC)

PO first suffered from suicidal ideation during his illness in the 1980s. A letter to his GP dated 5 February 1986 stated:

“He also told me in the recent past he has contemplated taking Paraquat and the only reason he did not commit such an act was for the sake of the children.” RB1

Paraquat is a highly toxic organic compound, widely used as a weed killer on farms.

Dr Bunn also records that:

“When asked he told me that life is ‘not really’ worth living. He denied a history of deliberate self-harm. He last thought of self-harm approximately a month ago. This related to ‘not being fit to get on with things.’ He would use a rope. He has no specific rope in mind for this purpose and has no specific place to hang himself.”: RB1 §7.6

“He was examined by Dr Brasil a few weeks ago and due to his concern was referred into the Home Treatment Team. This related to fears of suicide as he would ‘disappear off.’ The family were fearful of what he was going to do. On discussion with Dr Brasil it was evident that [PO] had been contemplating suicide.”: RB1 §9.2

This is also reflected in PO’s GP records:

“21.09.16

- Mental health assessment. Ongoing legal situation re. allegation re. misuse of land he owns for dumping. Inquired re. his referral to psychiatry. He has received no appointment. Says he could not cope with negative outcome and would ‘go for the blue rope/ Counselled re. wellbeing. No indication on discussion that actively planning self-harm and this appears” : RB1 §10.

“When asked if life is worth living, he told me ‘at times’; he can think too much. There are no recent thoughts of self-harm, suicide, harming others or violence.”: RB2 §7.2

8 November 2016 GP records note “intermittent thoughts of self-harm by hanging”: RB2 §8.5