A nurse who set himself on fire outside Kensington Palace experienced a "mental breakdown" following dismissal from Charing Cross Hospital , an inquest has heard.
Notting Hill nurse, Amin Abdullah burned to death after setting himself on fire on February 9 last year close to the home of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
His partner, Terry Skitmore, said the award-winning nurse had sunk into a state of depression during a disciplinary investigation which began in September 2015.
After the hearing concluded, the 41-year-old lost his job at Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust.
Whilst giving evidence at Westminster Coroner's Court, his partner said Mr Abdullah "struggled to understand what he was being disciplined for" and said he was "caring" and a "dedicated nurse".
The inquest heard how he had written a letter for another colleague caught up in a complaint made by a patient "to show how she could respond", resulting in him getting embroiled in the issue.
Mr Abdullah experienced 'colossal depression'
He was dismissed on December 21 2015 on the grounds the letter he had written to support his colleague was "untrue."
Mr Skitmore said Mr Abdullah, after initial meetings and the investigation, did not hear anything about the disciplinary "for many weeks" and put in a grievance regarding the delays in a bid to get some answers.
He said his partner experienced "colossal depression" which eventually led to a "mental breakdown."
"The disciplinary and additionally the 10 weeks of ignoring him caused him to have a mental breakdown and caused him to do what he did," he said.
He described him as the "happiest man in the world" as he held up a picture of his partner enjoying a holiday in Spain.
He added: "Seven months later I've got a pot of ashes with candles by it."
The inquest heard Mr Abdullah was voluntarily admitted to St Charles Mental Health Unit after a suicide attempt.
Mr Abdullah was allowed out, but he failed to return to the unit for treatment for his depression.
He was then discovered alight on February 9 in Kensington as emergency services were called to the scene.
Mr Abdullah had lodged an appeal against his dismissal in January of that year and a hearing date had been set for February 11.
The hearing continues.
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