Pledge for Stafford Hospital probe

Andy Burnham, who has replaced Alan Johnson after a cabinet reshuffle, insisted the issue would be one of his first priorities in his new role and promised to make a statement on the "very serious" issue in the near future.

Mr Burnham said: "That's an issue that's in my in-tray early on. I will be taking a very close look at what's gone on. We've got to make sure that it can't be repeated elsewhere."

Local MPs, councillors and health campaigners have been demanding a full, independent public inquiry into the "appalling" standards found at Stafford Hospital by the Healthcare Commission since the watchdog's report was published in March.

Former Health Secretary Alan Johnson, who was made the Home Secretary in last week's cabinet reshuffle, had previously said he did not believe a public inquiry was the right course of action in the wake of the scandal.

Stafford health campaigner Julie Bailey this week sent a string of recent testimonies from patients at the town's hospital to health chiefs, including Mr Burnham, in an effort to highlight what she reckons are ongoing problems on its wards.

Ms Bailey, of Wolverhampton Road, posted letters from people who have been patients at the hospital in recent weeks and were unhappy with the care they received.