Plans are being discussed for a memorial to the 54 transport workers who have died with coronavirus, Grant Shapps has revealed.
The Transport Secretary suggested the memorial could be located at Victoria Station, where Belly Mujinga worked when died .
The 47-year-old railway worker died with Covid-19 on 5 April, a few weeks after she was allegedly spat at while working at the station. She left behind her husband and an 11-year-old daughter.
Mr Shapps told the transport select committee: “To my knowledge 54 transport workers died with Covid and I pay huge respect to each and every one of them.
"They were doing essential work, although we don’t know if they died as a result of their jobs, they may have had coronavirus from anywhere.
“I would say of all transport workers – these are the people who have been getting the NHS workers and care workers, essential workers and our food to the right places at the right times throughout this crisis. I think they have done a phenomenal job.”
He said he had spoken to the unions about doing something to commemorate the “extraordinary input” of transport workers and added: “Perhaps with some sort of commemoration or memorial and perhaps even at Victoria station where Belly Mujinga worked.”
He added: “We don’t know whether it was connected to that incident but nonetheless I think that might be an appropriate location to remember all transport workers during this crisis.”
The Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) has been asked to review evidence into the death of Ms Mujinga .
British Transport Police (BTP) had concluded that Ms Mujinga’s death was not linked to the incident and closed the case.
BTP interviewed a 57-year-old man but said "there was insufficient evidence to support a prosecution based upon the allegation that the man spat deliberately on Mrs Mujinga or said that he had the virus".
The force said it requested the independent review "in recognition of wider public interest".
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