Gosport hospital deaths: Bereaved son says it should be a murder case

A RELATIVE has insisted a new criminal probe into deaths of hundreds of patients at Gosport War Memorial should result in a murder case
By Ben Fishwick
Published 30th Apr 2019, 18:57 BST
Updated 30th Apr 2019, 19:03 BST
Ian Sandford, whose mother Hasel died at Gosport War Memorial Hospital Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA WireIan Sandford, whose mother Hasel died at Gosport War Memorial Hospital Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Ian Sandford, whose mother Hasel died at Gosport War Memorial Hospital Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

Ian Sandford, 75, from Gosport, heard the news today at the family forum. His 80-year-old mother Hasel Sandford died at the hospital from pneumonia in December 1990.

Speaking to gathered press and TV news cameras, Mr Sandford said: 'Frustration doesn't even come near it. They should have sorted this out a long time ago.

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'The police in Gosport, the fact that's taken out their jurisdiction and a Kent force is doing it - we're very glad.'

Ian Sandford, whose mother Hasel died at Gosport War Memorial Hospital Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA WireIan Sandford, whose mother Hasel died at Gosport War Memorial Hospital Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire
Ian Sandford, whose mother Hasel died at Gosport War Memorial Hospital Picture: Andrew Matthews/PA Wire

But Mr Sandford said he was concerned evidence may have been lost since the deaths between 1987-2001 

He added: 'All I want to hear is that it's all resolved.

'Manslaughter and all this sort of charge are not good. What I want I can't say but it's not being discussed in there.

'I think it's murder and nothing will do other than that.'

Ann Reeves' 88-year-old grandmother Elsie Devine died at the hospital. 

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Ann and her daughter Bridget Devine-Reeves have been campaigning over the deaths for years. 

In a tweet from inside the meeting Ann said: 'Another nine months before we move forward to another stage.'

Dr Barton is being represented by the Medical Defence Union.

Today an MDU spokeswoman said: 'Dr Barton won’t be making any statement in relation to today’s report.'