Family of Paul Lee: 'Tuppen should quit'

The family of the licensee who died in an Enterprise Inns pub after the company failed to ensure there was a valid gas safety certificate have joined a call for the resignation of chief executive Ted Tuppen.

The family of licensee Paul Lee have made it clear they support the call of MP Greg Mulholland for Tuppen's resignation.

Sharon Lee, Paul's sister, issued the following statement on behalf of the family: "Having read on the internet of Greg Mulholland's demands for Ted Tuppen to stand down over the carbon monoxide scandal that cost Paul's life, we would like to make the following comments.

"Enterprise Inns' attitude towards their tenants compromised safety and ultimately cost Paul his life.

"As chief executive of Enterprise Inns Ted Tuppen is ultimately responsible for the actions of the company and we therefore fully support Mr Mulholland's demands for him to do the honourable thing and resign.

"Obviously nothing that Enterprise can do will bring Paul back, but the idea that an apology and a fine will suffice is outrageous."

Enterprise was fined £300,000 this week after the Health & Safety Executive prosecuted the company.

Paul Lee, 41, suffered a heart attack caused by lack of oxygen after he fell asleep in a room heated by the fire at the Aintree Hotel, Liverpool.

Liverpool Crown Court heard that Lee was found unconscious by a cleaner and died at Aintree University Hospital in November 2007. Enterprise Inns admitted breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974.

Sharon Lee added: "We are fully aware that Enterprise Inns is now compliant with gas safety legislation, but companies must not put other people's lives at risk by allowing similar lapses to occur in the future."

She added: "Paul has left behind three daughters, a grand-daughter and a loving family who will miss him."