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Police identify 24 suspects relating to hospital probe

By Connor Steel

POLICE DETECTIVES have officially confirmed that they have identified the total of twenty-four individual suspects as part of their continuing “Operation Magenta” investigation; which is looking into the deaths of at least 456 patients after being treated with ‘opioids’ under medical care at Gosport War Memorial Hospital over fourteen years from 1987-2001.

The update was shared to families at a meeting on Wednesday before being published on Thursday morning (October 10) via a media release; thus signaling another step in a long legal process that has drawn national and local attention. It follows a hugely detailed probe from the Gosport Independent Panel, whose full report was shared in mid June 2018.

Their investigations concluded that the lives of 456 patients were shortened due to the “routine practices of prescribing and administering opioids”; whilst a further two hundred people were likely to be similarly affected. This led to the ‘Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate’ being asked to manage a fresh police investigation that would seek out offences.

Deputy Chief Constable Neil Jerome cited the investigation as being “one of the largest and most complex of its nature in the history of UK policing” in a statement. He further added that their team has assessed over three million pages of documents including medical records of 750+ patients, and have taken witness statements from 1200 family members.

Twenty-one suspects have all been identified for ‘alleged negligence manslaughter’ and three are being considered for alleged offences under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Interviews are currently being carried out under caution and detectives were keen to confirm that no arrests have been made so far, whilst refusing to offer details on any next step.

However Mr Jerome did say that the “full range of criminal offences would be considered” and police have reached the stage where they have “started to submit case files in relation to individual patients for the Crown Prosecution Service”. But he offered the warnings that it would be the “CPS’s decision as to whether or not the criminal charges are brought”.

Readers are encouraged to explore media links like BBC NewsSky News and ITV News for fresh developing updates on the breaking story along with local news; whilst the full 2018 Independent Panel report may be read via this weblink.

PICTURED BY ALAMY (RTKKA5): Big façade signs and famous main entrance to the Gosport War Memorial Hospital.