Inquiry into Shipman death gets under way

Britain's prison ombudsman today began his independent inquiry into the death of Harold Shipman at the prison where he died.

Britain's prison ombudsman today began his independent inquiry into the death of Harold Shipman at the prison where he died.

Prison And Probation Ombudsman Mr Stephen Shaw arrived at Wakefield Prison at 10 a.m. to talk to staff and prisoners about the apparent suicide of the former GP.

Britain's most prolific serial killer was discovered hanged in his cell yesterday morning with a ligature made from bed sheets.

As he entered the prison, Mr Shaw told reporters he would spend the day there "uncovering the facts".

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He said: "The investigation is now starting and I have made very clear that I intend a very full and entire investigation.

"There has been a lot of speculation about Dr Shipman's death. It is now time for me to uncover the facts."

Mr Shaw said the inquiry would look into whether warning signs that Shipman was planning suicide had been missed by prison authorities and would be conducted in "as open a way as possible".

A key question would be why the former GP was not put on suicide watch, as he had been at other jails earlier in his sentence, and what impact the withdrawal of privileges last month had had on him.