Police have informed 101 families that no criminal charges will be brought over the deaths of their loved ones at Gosport War Memorial Hospital. The cases did not meet the evidential test for prosecution and will not proceed further unless new information emerges.
The decision marks a significant development in Operation Magenta, one of the largest and most complex police investigations in UK history. The inquiry, led by the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate, reviewed more than 750 patient deaths at the Hampshire hospital. An earlier probe found that hundreds of patients had their lives shortened through opioid use.
A spokesman for the directorate said: «A total of 101 families have been notified that investigations into the deaths of their loved ones have not met the evidential test for criminal prosecution and that no further action will be taken unless further information comes to light. Each of the families concerned have been contacted and provided with a detailed timeline of their loved one's medical journey and how the outcome of each assessment has been reached.»
The investigation took 1,200 witness statements and interviewed 29 suspects earlier this year. Of those, 24 were questioned over alleged gross negligence manslaughter, while five faced allegations under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Police continue to submit case files to the Crown Prosecution Service for other cases, which makes the final decision on criminal charges.
Path forward
Emma Jones of Leigh Day Solicitors, who represents some affected families, said the news would be devastating for those told their cases are not proceeding. «They are left without answers,» she said. «However, there is still the inquest process which can be a full and thorough investigation which, I would hope, would provide answers for the families.»
All deaths investigated by Operation Magenta will be referred to the coroner for inquests. Jones encouraged families receiving no further action letters to contact the coroner directly. «I am happy to discuss this with anyone who receives an NFA (no further action) letter to assure them it does not have to be the end of a decades-long search for answers and justice,» she said.
Note: This article was created with Artificial Intelligence (AI).
