Probe is vital for relatives, says Labour
LABOUR stepped up calls yesterday for a public inquiry into the pandemic, insisting that lessons needed to be learned quickly.
The PM has vowed to order an investigation but has not set a date.
Shadow Cabinet Office Minister Rachel Reeves said an urgent probe is vital to help grieving families.
Ms Reeves told the BBC: “For them, you’re not going to be able to get the closure and justice that’s needed until that inquiry happens.”
She believed the June 21 date for all curbs to be eased is a “perfect opportunity” to launch an inquiry.
The Covid-19 Bereaved Families for Justice group, which represents more than 2,800 relatives, issued a Letter Before Claim to the Government yesterday – clearing the way for a judicial review unless the Government orders a statutory public inquiry. Co-founder Jo Goodman, whose dad Stuart, 72, died of the virus, said: “The loss of our loved ones will not be in vain.” Ruling out an immediate probe, Commons Leader Jacob Rees-Mogg told MPs: “The time for that will be when the pandemic has ended.”
TWO bodies have been found in the search for a mum and toddler daughter feared murdered.
Bennylyn Burke, 25, and Jellica, two, vanished in Bristol last month.
The bodies, yet to be formally identified, were discovered inside a house in Dundee after extensive inquiries by detectives and forensic experts.
Police first went there on March 5 amid a probe into the disappearances.
On March 8 a man of 50 appeared at the city’s sheriff court charged with their murders.
The major investigation team’s Det Supt Graeme Mackie said: “This is a significant development in a particularly challenging inquiry for all involved.
“Bennylyn’s family have been informed and we will continue to support them.”
A PROPERTY developer accused of murdering his wealthy wife walked free from court yesterday.
Donald McPherson, 47, had told the jury he found Paula Leeson, also 47, facedown in a pool on holiday.
He had taken out seven “secret” life insurance policies and stood to make £3.5million if she died.
He also joined an online dating group a week after her death on June 6, 2017.
But 13 wounds on Paula could have been caused as McPherson, of Sale, Gtr Manchester, pulled her out the pool, as he said.
Mr Justice Goose told Manchester crown court that though it seemed “more likely” Paula was killed, the evidence was “insufficient” to prove it. Her brother Neville yelled: “You’re making a mistake.”
AN evil churchwarden who was jailed for life for the gaslighting murder of a pensioner has lost a bid to overturn his conviction.
Ben Field, 30, convinced Peter Farquhar, 69, he loved him, put psychedelic drugs in his tea and encouraged him to booze.
After Peter’s death in 2016, put down to acute alcohol intoxication, Field inherited £20,000.
He then moved in with Peter’s neighbour Ann Moore-Martin, 83, in Maids Moreton, Bucks.
After she died of natural causes in 2017 police probed both deaths. Field was cleared of trying to kill Ann but got a minimum 36 years for Peter’s murder.
Court of Appeal judges yesterday dismissed his claims the trial judge had misdirected the jury.
ASYLUM seekers could be sent overseas as part of an “inhumane” overhaul of the immigration system.
Home Secretary Priti Patel will reportedly include offshore processing centres in plans expected to be published next week.
Leaks last year suggested the Government was considering offshore policies similar to those used in Australia.
Refugee Council chief executive Enver Solomon said: “The Australian model is inhumane.”
Gibraltar said it would not host asylum seekers because of legal issues and “geographical limitations”.
Downing Street did not deny plans to send asylum seekers overseas. The PM’s spokesman said: “We must fix our broken system.”