David Fuller: Sajid Javid announces independent inquiry into sex attacks on corpses in mortuaries at local NHS trust

Penalties available for “appalling” sexual offences will be re-examined following the case of David Fuller, the Government has said.

Hospital electrician Fuller admitted murdering then sexually assaulting two women decades before carrying out dozens of sex attacks on corpses in mortuaries.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid, making a statement to the Commons on the “shocking and depraved” offences, told MPs: “As sentencing has yet to take place, it would be inappropriate for me to comment on the particular case.

“But I will say this – in light of what has happened, the Justice Secretary will be looking at whether the penalties that are currently available for such appalling sexual offences are appropriate.”

The Health Secretary told the Commons that support had been put in place for the families of the 100 victims of David Fuller, as well as for staff impacted by the crimes.

Sajid Javid said: “Officers have tragically found evidence of 100 victims. Of these victims, 81 have been formally identified and specially trained family liaison officers have been supporting their families. Every family of a known victims has been contacted.

“I know how distressing the details of these offences will been for many people. The local NHS trust has put arrangements in place to support staff who have been affected and, regardless of whether someone has been directly impacted by these offences or not, they can access the resources that are available on the My Support Space website.

“This is a profoundly upsetting case that has involved distressing offences within the health service. The victims are not just those family members and friends who have been abused in this most horrific of ways, they are also those that are left behind.”

Health Secretary Sajid Javid announced an independent inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the offences committed at the hospital, and their national implications.

He told the Commons the trust involved has already initiated an independent investigation, and thanked it for the steps taken so far.

Mr Javid said: “Given the scale and the nature of these sexual offences, I believe that we must go further.

“Today I can announce that I am replacing the trust investigation with an independent inquiry.

“The inquiry will look into the circumstances surrounding the offences committed at the hospital, and their national implications.

“It will help us understand how these offences took place without detection in the trust, identify any areas where early action by this trust was necessary, and then consider wider national issues, including for the NHS.”

The Health Secretary has apologised to the friends and families of all the victims.

Sajid Javid said: “It is a profoundly upsetting case that has involved distressing offences within the health service.

“The victims are not just those family members and friends who have been abused in this most horrific of ways. They are also those that are left behind.

“People who have already experienced such loss and now experience unimaginable pain and anger. They are victims too.

“Even as we look into what exactly happened, as the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, I want to apologise to the friends and families of all the victims for the crimes that were perpetrated in the care of the NHS and for the hurt and suffering they are feeling.

“I know that no apology can undo the pain and suffering caused by these offences, but with such serious issues of dignity and security we have a duty to look at what happened in detail, and make sure it never happens again.”