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Wrong body cremated at MEP Philip Bradbourn's funeral

The wrong body was cremated at the funeral of West Midlands MEP Philip Bradbourn.

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Mr Bradbourn, a Conservative MEP, died in December at Sutton Coldfield's Good Hope Hospital after a battle with cancer.

His funeral took place in January. However, the man who was cremated was in fact Philip Bradburn, who had passed away at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham before Christmas.

Both men's bodies went to Central England Co-operative Funeralcare mortuary but the wrong body was released for cremation at Wolverhampton's Bushbury Crematorium on January 16.

A second funeral took place last month. On Monday this week senior politicians including communities secretary Eric Pickles and transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin gathered at Wolverhampton's St Peter's Collegiate Church for a memorial service.

The 63-year-old, who was not married, was diagnosed with bowel cancer shortly after being re-elected to the European Parliament in May last year

Fellow Tory West Midlands MEP Anthea McIntyre said: "I was shocked that this could have happened. There must be an investigation. I find it hard to believe and I feel terribly sorry for anyone who knew the other person, as well as those close to Phil."

Mr McLoughlin said: "I have known Phil for 30 or 40 years. We were in the West Midlands Young Conservatives together so we go back a long way.

"We also both contested the Wolverhampton South East seat, me in 1983, and Phil in 1992.

"He was a stalwart of the Conservative Party in this area and I was very sad to hear of his death."

Heart of England Foundation Trust, which runs Good Hope Hospital, said it was carrying out a full investigation into a recent incident, involving two people with similar names, as a result of which the wrong deceased patient was cremated. Services have been held for both of the deceased.

Dr Andrew Catto, executive medical director and interim deputy chief executive, said: "This is an incredibly distressing situation and we are very sorry that this has happened. We are carrying out a full and urgent investigation between all the parties involved. This is a rare incident and we are offering support to those close to the deceased.

"Once the Trust became aware, it acted immediately. We are committed to finding out precisely what happened and reducing the possibility of it happening again.

"This occurred in spite of the fact that mortuary procedures conform to nationally defined standards and are subject to periodic audit.

"We are committed to supporting the request for privacy in this matter from those close to the deceased."

A spokesman for Central England Co-operative Funeralcare said: "The Society's Funeralcare operation provides services to a number of hospitals within the Birmingham area, but it is not our policy to comment on behalf of any of these organisations.

"The Society is supporting one of our partners in a full and open an investigation, but is not able to comment further while the investigation is ongoing."

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