Sturgeon should quit says Gray

Published on Saturday 22 November 2008 18:37

IAIN Gray, the Labour leader, yesterday called for the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon over her handling of the 18 deaths from C difficile.

He joined the families of those killed in the outbreak at the Vale of Leven Hospital by calling for Sturgeon to quit as Health Secretary as fresh evidence emerged illustrating how widespread the most deadly form of the bug was at the Dunbartonshire hospital. Sturgeon has so far refused to call a public inquiry into the outbreak, despite pleas from victims' relatives.

Yesterday Gray said: "Nicola Sturgeon admitted to me in parliament that she was the only obstacle to an inquiry. The families of those who died of C Difficile at the Vale of Leven hospital have made clear their views. The parliament has voted for an inquiry. The Health Secretary has put herself in the position where she is ignoring the wishes of the families, defying the will of the parliament and asserting she knows better than health experts. Nicola Sturgeon should now consider her position."

Scotland on Sunday has learned that of the first 16 tests carried out on C diff cases at the Dunbartonshire hospital earlier this year, 14 proved to be positive for the most dangerous strain of the bug.

A spokesman for Sturgeon said: "The Health Secretary has made it clear she has not ruled out a public inquiry. The immediate priority following the tragic deaths at the Vale of Leven Hospital was to order a rapid independent investigation to take quick action to identify the issues needing immediate attention.

"She has asked for an update on the progress of those investigations, and will be meeting the families involved next week to update them."