THE death of a Govia Thameslink Railway staff member from Covid-19 is no longer being linked to an alleged incident at London Victoria on 21 March, in which a man was reported to have spat and coughed at two workers on the concourse.

The man was said to have claimed that he was infected with coronavirus, and one of the staff involved, 47-year old Belly Mujinga, was admitted to Barnet hospital on 2 April, where she tested positive for the disease. She died three days later, leaving her husband and 11-year old daughter. She is reported to have had an existing respiratory condition.

TSSA general secretary Manuel Cortes had spoken of his union’s ‘shock and devastation’, while Detective Chief Inspector Sam Blackburn of BTP said an ‘extensive enquiry’ was under way.

However, BTP said a 57-year old man from London interviewed under caution on 17 May will not be facing charges.

DCI Blackburn said: ‘I know the loss of Belly has moved so many people, and I can assure you we have done everything we can to provide answers for her family.

‘As a result of our enquiries, we can now be confident that this incident did not lead to Belly’s tragic death.

‘Our thoughts remain with her family and we will continue to support them as they come to terms with the loss of their much-loved mother and wife.’

Even so, TSSA has questioned why Belly was working in a public area of the station, considering that she was vulnerable.

Govia Thameslink Railway said it ‘took any allegations extremely seriously’. Southern’s managing director Angie Doll added: ‘The safety of our customers and staff, who are key workers themselves, continues to be front of mind at all times and we follow the latest government advice.’