No charges for DJs behind prank call that led to suicide

The DJs behind a prank call to a hospital about the Duchess of Cambridge will not face charges in connection with the death of a nurse who took the call, prosecutors have announced.

But the family of Jacintha Saldanha, who transferred the hoax call to a colleague who then gave out information about Kate’s condition, said there were still “many unanswered questions”.

Ms Saldanha, a nurse at the private King Edward VII’s hospital in central London, where Kate was being treated for a rare form of pregnancy sickness, took the call from Australian DJs Mel Greig and Michael Christian in December.

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She transferred the pair, who were posing as the Queen and Prince of Wales, to a colleague, who then described Kate’s condition to them in detail.

Ms Saldanha, 46, a mother of two from Bristol, was found dead in her nurses’ quarters three days later.

Her death sparked a worldwide backlash against the 2Day FM DJs, with some calling for them to be charged.

But the Crown Prosecution Service said no charges will be brought over the prank and there was no evidence to support a manslaughter charge.

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Malcolm McHaffie, deputy head of special crime at the CPS, said that although misguided, the call was intended as a “harmless prank”.

Ms Saldanha’s family said they still had many unanswered questions.

Labour MP Keith Vaz, who has supported them since the death, spoke to the family today after the announcement by the CPS.

He said: “The family of Jacintha have been left devastated by her death. They are struggling to come to terms with the events that led to it, especially the hoax call.

“The family still have many unanswered questions and now await the inquest due to start on March 26.”

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