Families of Shipman victims had 'right to press for public inquiry'

A solicitor for Harold Shipman's victims says the results of an official inquiry "wholly vindicated" the decision to hold the investigation in public.

Ann Alexander, who represents the families of nearly 300 of Shipman's victims and alleged victims, says no one will ever be able to appreciate what those families have been through and how they feel.

And although the extent of his killing was now public, it would be "some time" before the relatives of those he killed could come to terms with what has happened.

"Harold Shipman is without equal as a murderer," she said.

At a news conference in Hyde, the solicitor said families had to fight all the way to the High Court to ensure the inquiry into Shipman's crimes was held in public.

Ms Ms Alexander said: "It is important to remember that this is the conclusion of only the first phase of the inquiry and that the Shipman Inquiry continues examining the systemic and personal failures that enabled Shipman to kill again and again.

"Public scrutiny has revealed the manifest shortcomings in the first police investigation. This would probably have been missed had this inquiry not been public.

During the course of evidence being heard by the inquiry at Manchester Town Hall, Greater Manchester Police admitted the first investigation into the former family GP - which failed to uncover any evidence of wrongdoing - was itself "flawed".

Ms Alexander said it had come to light the police's own internal investigation into that first inquiry was also flawed: "I believe that all this would have been buried but for the public nature of this important inquiry."

"The careful approach of Dame Janet to the evidence and the manner in which she has conducted this inquiry will truly see justice is done and ensure lessons are learned," she added.