Calls for Hillsborough-model inquest
Relatives of some of those who died at the Gosport War Memorial Hospital are calling for a Hillsborough-model inquest.
More than 450 people had their lives shortened at the hospital, while another 200 were ‘probably’ similarly given opioids between 1989 and 2000 without medical justification, according to the Gosport Independent Panel report released five years ago. An inquiry, led by the former bishop of Liverpool James Jones, did not ascribe criminal or civil liability for the deaths.
The families say repeated ineffective investigations into hundreds of deaths have left relatives without any justice or closure and have called for a new judge and jury inquest to be held. Emma Jones, of Leigh Day solicitors, who represents 10 of the families, said: ‘The families we represent will undoubtedly be extremely concerned by the disclosure from the police that 19 suspects have been identified. ‘The families have never been satisfied that they have had the answers needed about the deaths of their loved ones and that is why they have been campaigning for many years now for inquests. ‘The fact that this police investigation which has taken place so many years later has managed to find sufficient evidence to identify 19 suspects demonstrates how substandard the previous investigations were, not only by the police but also by the coroner.
‘It raises questions that, at best, the earlier investigations were ineffective, narrow and poor and, at worst, were potentially coverups by officials involved.’ Ms Jones summed up: ‘We maintain that judge-led inquests, similar to the Hillsborough inquests will be the only way to secure all the answers that families need.’