'Nurse burned himself to death near Kensington Palace after mental breakdown'

Amin Abdullah photographed on a beach seven months before his death

A nurse who burned himself to death near Kensington Palace suffered a mental breakdown following a disciplinary investigation at work, an inquest heard today.

Amin Abdullah, 41, set himself on fire just yards from the London home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on February 9 last year after being sacked from Charing Cross hospital in Hammersmith, west London.

Terry Skitmore described his partner as a “wonderful, caring person” who had spiralled into depression after just seven months earlier being the “happiest man in the world”.

He held up a picture of Mr Abdullah on a beach just months before his death and then described how he had become depressed when faced with a disciplinary at Charing Cross Hospital.

Showing the picture of an apparently healthy, smiling man, he told Westminster Coroner’s Court: “This was seven months before he died. How can someone end up as a pot of ashes after such a short time?”.

The inquest was told that Mr Abdullah, an award-winning nurse who had excelled in his profession, had been investigated over his writing of a letter to support a colleague.

Mr Skitmore claimed at the inquest that the three months he spent under investigation caused the breakdown that led him to take his own life.

He said: “I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. He was proud of what he had achieved and had done nothing wrong. He never had a day off sick and was well liked by his colleagues and patients ... He just couldn’t believe what was happening to him.”

He said that shortly before his death he had sent him harrowing text messages.

One read to the court by Mr Skitmore said: “I know you will be heartbroken but you have to be strong for your children and grandchildren.”

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, which runs Charing Cross, opened an investigation into Mr Abdullah’s conduct on September 15 last year after he became embroiled in a dispute involving a patient and another nurse.

The investigation concluded on October 22 but he had to wait a further six weeks for a disciplinary hearing.

His dismissal for gross misconduct was confirmed on December 21.

The inquest was told by Mr Skitmore that the nurse had suffered bullying when growing up in Malaysia but was immensely proud of his success in Britain.

The nurse had also attempted to take his own life with a fatal injection the inquest was told.

The hearing, which is due to last three days, continues.

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