Shipman inquiry 'can be filmed'

At least 466 deaths are being investigated

TV cameras will be allowed to film part of the Harold Shipman inquiry, a High Court judge has ruled.

Dame Janet Smith said broadcasters would be allowed to film Phase Two of the inquiry - when medical professionals and public servants are due to give evidence.

The balance of interest comes down heavily against broadcasting of Phase One

Dame Janet Smith

But relatives of Shipman's victims and suspected victims will not be filmed as they give evidence in Phase One of the inquiry.

The former GP, from Hyde, Greater Manchester, is now serving 15 life sentences for killing patients with diamorphine injections.

Dame Janet said: "The additional stress which filming would impose on witnesses who have to describe deeply distressing events, would be quite unacceptable".

The ruling followed an application by international television news channel CNN whose lawyers had argued that cameras should be allowed in as a matter of public interest.

Although the application was made by CNN the ruling applies to all broadcasters.

Unwarranted intrusion

Dame Janet said many of the witnesses were worried they would make "fools of themselves" while giving evidence and nearly all were against televising the hearing.

She said: "Some of them cry whilst giving evidence. Sometimes the voice falters and stops and the witness cannot continue for a while.

"Although these reactions are wholly understandable, the witnesses are embarrassed.

Dame Janet Smith: Wants to protect witnesses

"If these witnesses were at risk of appearing on television their distress would be increased and there would be an unwarranted intrusion on their private feelings."

Shipman was convicted of 15 murders but there are fears he has killed many more of his patients, and the inquiry is investigating the deaths of another 466.

Dame Janet said another reason for the filming ban was that the inquiry would also have to examine personal medical records and will assess whether a patient died of natural causes.

"It would be inappropriate for those records or discussion of them to be exposed to a wider audience than is necessary."

Public interest

Phase One of the inquiry, expected to last two years in total, will consider how many patients Shipman killed, the means employed and the period over which the killings took place.

Phase Two will examine a range of issues including the roles of medical professionals and police, procedures for prescribing controlled drugs and opportunities for whistle-blowing.

Throughout the inquiry questions will be general as well as specific to the Shipman case.

Dame Janet has decided to allow filming for the first stage of Phase Two when doctors and public servants will give evidence about systems in relation to death registration, cremation certification and referral to the coroner and general good practice.

Some witnesses who worked in Hyde during Shipman's time will be questioned about their duties in particular cases.

Dame Janet said the topics under discussion were of considerable public interest and she wanted to help broadcasters in providing informative and educative coverage, providing it can be done without disrupting the hearings.

Decision will be reviewed

"I will not know whether that is possible unless we try it," she said.

Dame Janet said she would review her decision after the first stage, due to start in the spring.

The chairman said she would retain some control over what she allowed to be broadcast.