Wrong man cremated at funeral of Euro MP

THE wrong body was cremated at the funeral of a Conservative politician after a mortuary mix-up.

Philip Bradbourn, a West Midlands MEP, died of cancer at Sutton Coldfield’s Good Hope Hospital aged 63.

But, when it came to his funeral in January, the mortuary accidentally released the body of Philip Bradburn, who had died around the same date in Birmingham’s Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

It was not until a month later that Mr Bradbourn’s family was told about the mistake at Bushbury Crematorium, Wolverhampton, and they held a second funeral on February 23.

An investigation has begun to find how the blunder occurred and the NHS trust which is in charge of Good Hope Hospital apologised for the ‘incredibly distressing situation’.

Anthea McIntyre, a Tory MEP for the West Midlands, said: ‘I attended Phil’s funeral in January and it was a smallish affair which was what Phil wanted.

‘It is very distressing and my first thought is that there has been a family who have been robbed of a funeral for their loved one. I know that serious questions have been sent right to the top of Government on the issue.’

Dr Andrew Catto, of Heart of England NHS Trust, which runs the Sutton Coldfield hospital, said: ‘We are very sorry that this has happened – we are carrying out a full and urgent investigation between all the parties involved. This is a rare incident and we are offering support to those close to the deceased.’

The Central England Co- operative Funeralcare mortuary and the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust confirmed they were also taking part in the investigation.

A memorial service was held for Mr Bradbourn on Monday in Wolverhampton, where Communities Secretary Eric Pickles led a eulogy.

On Mr Bradbourn’s death, Prime Minister David Cameron described him as ‘well-respected’, praising his ‘truly admirable’ dedication to public service.