Victory for inquest fight family

Leslie Vines died at the Maypole nursing home in 2002

The family of a man who died at a Birmingham nursing home have won their battle for an inquest to be held.

Leslie Vines, 77, died 10 days after being admitted to the Maypole nursing home in Kings Heath in 2002.

His family, who believe he was neglected at the home, welcomed Justice Secretary Jack Straw's ruling that an inquest must be held into his death.

Birmingham Coroner Aiden Cotter's decision not to hold an inquest was quashed by the High Court last October.

The matter was then referred to Mr Straw.

We always said we'd never give up until we had an inquest into dad's death Hazel Bicknell

Mr Vines, from Shirley, Solihull, West Midlands, was among 27 residents who died at the Maypole home during 2002.

This compared to a total of 8 deaths during the previous year.

Two doctors who owned the home were struck off by the General Medical Council in January 2007.

Mr Vines suffered from Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease and died on 7 September.

His daughter Hazel Bicknell said: "We always said we'd never give up until we had an inquest into dad's death.

"Although I'm extremely pleased with the outcome, I'm annoyed that it has taken the secretary of state's involvement to force the coroner's hand."

Mrs Bicknell, who believes her father did not die of natural causes, added: "I've never believed the home's explanation of dad's death."

At the time his cause of death was recorded as bronchial pneumonia and neither a post-mortem examination nor an inquest was held.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell, which had sought a judicial review of Mr Cotter's decision, said Mr Straw had invoked powers under Section 15 of the Coroners Act 1988 to require Mr Cotter to hold an inquest.

Victoria Blankstone, from the firm, said: "Today's decision is a victory for Hazel and her family who are relieved that after five long years of fighting for justice, their voice has finally been heard.

"Launching a judicial review was not a decision that was taken lightly, but we felt that there were too many unanswered questions regarding Mr Vines' death which demanded a formal inquest investigation."

A pre-hearing to the inquest will be held on 4 July.