People with learning difficulties at the Longcare homes in Stoke Poges, Buckinghamshire, were subjected to physical, mental and sexual abuse over a 10-year period.

Gordon Rowe, the co-owner of the homes, committed suicide before he could be charged with rape, while his wife Angela was jailed for two and a half years for abusing the residents.

Both homes were registered with Buckinghamshire County Council and regularly checked by their inspectors.

The council set up the inquiry in 1997, after pressure from the Department of Health, to establish why the council had failed to cancel the registration, even after the evidence of abuse was overwhelming.