Seven patients’ deaths part of sabotage probe

The force revealed more details of the ongoing investigation in the wake of the dramatic release from prison of Rebecca Leighton, a 27-year-old nurse, after the Crown Prosecution withdrew its case against her.

Four names of those whose deaths are being probed have yet to be revealed but their families are aware that the cases have been referred to police by Stockport Coroner John Pollard.

Detectives had previously announced they were looking at the suspicious deaths of Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71, and Derek Weaver, 83.

Explaining the decision to drop the charges against Miss Leighton, CPS prosecutor Nazir Afzal said: “The inquiries, which are still ongoing, have not so far provided us with a stronger case which would meet the test that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.”

He said the prosecution could be restarted if “further evidence is presented” but added “on the evidence currently available there is not a case in law which could proceed”.

Speaking about the potential 40 victims, Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney said: “All these people who came into the contact of the hospital were particularly poorly people so we have to understand the impact of contamination, although we are clear there was contamination in a number of saline products.

“This investigation is without doubt one of the most complex investigations that our most senior detectives have ever worked on, comparable in size and scope to the Manchester bomb inquiry.

“The scope of this investigation is extensive and we cannot rule out making other arrests in our search for the truth, and this remains as true as ever.”

The force has interviewed 200 out of 700 people they want to speak to. The list includes potential victims as well as staff at Stepping Hill hospital, patients and visitors.

Police said there had been no further cases of product contamination or related deaths since the initial incidents, but it “cannot rule out further incidents”.

Mr Sweeney said: “In this case our further investigation has shown that there were over 700 people who could have had access to the area concerned in a tight time period.”

He said a working hospital is a very busy working environment where “huge numbers” of people come and go. “No one has made any definitive admissions in this case, there is obviously no CCTV of patient treatment and many members of staff had legitimate access to the areas and materials involved,

“We need a long period of time to complete this investigation and eliminate those who were not involved and it is only right in these circumstances to discontinue the case until we can deal with these issues.

“The decision to charge Rebecca Leighton by the CPS was the correct one at the time and was based on the information and evidence available then.”