New inquest ordered to examine fresh claims over Jonnie Meek's death
A new inquest is to be held into the death of a disabled boy at scandal-hit Stafford Hospital after it emerged that he may have been killed by the milk he was given by medics.
Jonnie Meek, who was lactose intolerant and had to be fed through a tube, was only three when taken to hospital to undergo a trial of new milk in August 2014.
He was dead within three hours, leaving his devastated parents John Meek and April Keeling demanding answers.
An initial inquest recorded death by "natural causes", Jonnie having contracted pneumonia in his right lung.
But a second inquest has now been ordered by High Court judges after fresh evidence emerged, suggesting he was killed by his milk.
Lord Justice Hamblen said it was "necessary and desirable" for a new inquest to reveal the true cause of Jonnie's death.
The court heard the boy, from Cannock, suffered from "complex health problems", including the rare congenital disability de Grouchy syndrome and lactose intolerance.
He was fed by a tube into his stomach and doctors were trying him on the new feed on the day he died.
The judge said an initial post mortem examination recorded "no reason to suspect the change of feed played a part in the death".
However, a complaint by the parents - who said the verdict was "ridiculous" - led to an independent review by consultant paediatrician Dr Martin Farrier in October 2015.
He said the "most likely" cause was an allergic reaction to the new feed, the judge continued.
A further review cited "asthma exacerbation", allergic reaction and administration of a "less hypo-allergenic milk".
The case reached court after an application by the NHS Cannock Chase Clinical Commissioning Group for quashing of the first inquest.
It said the new evidence showing the finding that the death was caused by pneumonia "cannot stand" and the substantial truth had not been revealed.
Lord Justice Hamblen, sitting in London with Mr Justice Stuart-Smith, quashed the original verdict.
"In the circumstances, we are satisfied that it is necessary and desirable for a new inquest to be heard," he said.
The family, who were not in court today, were helped in their search for the truth by NHS campaigner Julie Bailey, whose efforts resulted in the inquiry into the scandal-hit hospital in 2008.
No date was set for the new inquest to be held.
