A coroner has ordered the disclosure of a Hornchurch man’s government employment records after he died with cancer caused by asbestos inhalation.

Dean Hagger, 68, of Adelphi Crescent, died on October 23.

An inquest into his death was opened at East London Coroner’s Court, Walthamstow, today (Thursday, October 31).

Coroner’s officer Jean Smyth told the court Mr Hagger had been receiving palliative care for “extensive pleural disease from asbestos exposure”.

“He is believed to have been exposed to asbestos while working as a thermal insulation engineer,” Mrs Smyth testified.

In September 2024, he had been diagnosed with mesothelioma with widespread metastasis – meaning cancer which had spread throughout his body.

His death certificate also listed chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as a contributing factor.

“I’m satisfied on those facts that this death occurred in circumstances requiring an inquest,” said coroner Nadia Persaud.

She declared Mr Hagger’s family ‘interested persons’, meaning they will have the right to interrogate evidence and question witnesses at the inquest.

“If they have details of his work history, of if he provided a statement for any claim, I would like a copy of that, together with any expert reports,” said Mrs Persaud.

She also ordered that Mr Hagger’s GP hand over electronic records, and that the hospital hand over any reports on his diagnosis and treatment.

From HMRC, she ordered a schedule of Mr Hagger’s work history.

His inquest was set for April 9.