Belly Mujinga: Police interview man over spitting incident before London Victoria worker died of coronavirus
Police have interviewed a man in connection with the death of a woman who worked at London’s Victoria railway station.
Belly Mujinga died a fortnight after allegedly being spat at by a man who claimed he had coronavirus.
A spokesperson for British Transport Police said a 57-year-old man from London had been identified over the incident.
“He was interviewed under caution today [Sunday] at a London police station,” she added.
“Detectives will continue to collate evidence and investigate the circumstances behind the incident. They are not looking to identify anyone further in relation to the incident.”Click to expand
“”Packed London bus as people return to work after lockdown restrictions eased slightly”” “Packed London bus as people return to work after lockdown restrictions eased slightly”
Ms Mujinga was approached by a man who said he was infected with Covid-19 as she worked on the concourse at Victoria on 21 March.
She subsequently fell ill with coronavirus and died in Barnet hospital on 5 April.
Ms Mujinga, who worked for Govia Thameslink Railway, had an 11-year-old daughter and well-wishers have donated almost £40,000 to a fundraising page for her family.
The attack on Ms Mujinga, who had underlying respiratory problems, was widely condemned amid a wave of spitting and coughing assaults on police, transport staff and other key workers.
Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions on Wednesday, Boris Johnson described her death as “tragic”.
He said: “The fact that she was abused for doing her job is utterly appalling.”
Her death sparked renewed calls for railway workers to be given personal protective equipment (PPE) as staff said they feared for their safety.
The Transport Salaried Staffs Association (TSSA) said many of its members were fearful for their safety.
Victor Bangura, a gate worker at Victoria, told the PA news agency: “Imagine you see someone now like me and the next time they are dead.
“My whole body went into shock. I was very, very emotional. We are all vulnerable, in the same station, it could happen to any one of us.”
Another railway worker at Victoria station said Wednesday was the first day staff had been given masks to wear, as a relaxation of lockdown rules saw greater numbers of people travelling to work in London.
Govia Thameslink Railway said updated government advice urging people to wear masks on public transport caused it to issue PPE to staff.
A spokesperson said: “Previously, the official government advice was that PPE for our staff was not required.
“We have regularly briefed our people to keep washing their hands and to socially distance as far as possible while working, and continue to do so.”
