In My View: Neil Coyle, MP for Bermondsey & Old Southwark

Two years ago Folajimi ‘Jimi’ Olubunmi-Adewole spotted a woman struggling in the Thames near London Bridge.

Without hesitation he jumped in to help save her.

She lived, but sadly Jimi didn’t survive the cold, turbulent river and strong currents.

His heroism contradicted the general demonisation of younger people, especially young black men, and I believe he deserved recognition.

I’ve been working with the family, who created such a brave young man, prepared to risk everything for a stranger, to make sure his courageous act was honoured.

The Salmon Youth Centre, which Jimi attended, now has a brilliant mural which shows his positive image, and there is a living memorial in a tree planted for him near the family home in Spa Gardens.

In January I attended the plaque unveiling commemorating his bravery, next to Southwark Cathedral, and it was great to see so many people acknowledge his selflessness.

The cathedral supported the plaque and has its own unsung hero (despite its choir) in the Dean, Andrew Nunn, who retires this year.

He will be missed greatly, and has been a tremendous asset to the cathedral, diocese and community, and made such enormous efforts to ensure the area thrived again after the terror attack at neighbouring Borough Market.

In eight years serving as MP, I’ve dealt with heroes like Jimi and Andrew, as well as villains.

The Home Office sadly falls into the latter category. Some Home Office policies actually cause crime, and ministers are directly culpable in 200 missing children from Government accommodation.

This sickening loss is unforgivable, but ministers fail daily to tackle criminality and antisocial behaviour, with prosecution levels at a dismal rate and justice denied to victims, sadly.

One recent Home Office failure stands out.

Southwark is a fine community full of people prepared to help others. But of 130,000 constituents, one stood tallest during Covid.

Vimal Pandya worked in a shop which he opened up when the rest of us locked down, and he went above and beyond in delivering to older and disabled people across Rotherhithe.

He helped hundreds of people and allayed the fears of hundreds more, with family members not having to travel or worry about isolated or vulnerable relatives.

Vimal did their shopping and even collected prescriptions.

His efforts were recognised by our late Queen Elizabeth II, but the Home Office has fought his exceptionalism and argued he does not deserve recognition.

The love and support for Vimal is well demonstrated in 177,000 signatures on a petition calling on ministers to let him stay.

It was an honour to speak for him at tribunal, and I will continue to support his case.

Another huge recent honour was welcoming His Majesty King Charles III to Southwark.

The King came to open the Africa Centre’s new headquarters and see the urgency of climate change in an impactful exhibition Our Story: Africa’s Climate.

It was yet another reminder of how world issues affect our diverse community and how events in Southwark have global ramifications.

I hope it is the first of many visits here to Southwark, and another bond between the Royal Family and the community I am proud to serve.