Police given extra time to quiz nurse as death toll rises to five

Rebecca Leighton was arrested on Wednesday morning at her home a mile away from her workplace at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport, which is at the centre of the inquiry into the tampering of medication.

One of the latest fatalities linked to the contamination of saline solution with insulin has been identified as Alfred Derek Weaver, 83. The other, an 84-year-old woman, had not been named last night.

Police were already looking at the suspicious deaths of Tracey Arden, 44, Arnold Lancaster, 71, and George Keep, 84, who died on 7, 11, and 14 July respectively.

In a statement, Greater Manchester Police said: "Police have been given more time to question a woman arrested on suspicion of murder.

"The 27-year-old was arrested on Wednesday by detectives investigating the deaths of five patients at Stepping Hill Hospital. A warrant of further detention has been granted and is due to expire at 9.05pm on Friday. Inquiries are continuing."

Mr Weaver, known as Derek, died yesterday after he suffered a hypoglycaemic episode on 11 July.

In a statement, his brother, Graham, and sisters, Lynda and Margaret, said: "Derek was a self-taught electronic engineer and ran a successful alarm business in Stockport.

"He loved dining out at French restaurants and had a keen interest in cars and classical music.

"He was a lovely gentleman who will be deeply missed."

Mr Weaver had lived in the Stockport area since the 1960s. His wife, Yvonne, died 20 years ago.

The unnamed 84-year-old patient died on 14 July, but her case was referred to detectives by South Manchester coroner John Pollard on Wednesday.

Police officers have searched Miss Leighton's flat in Heaviley, Stockport, as they took away bags of items and computer equipment for further examination.

Detectives were called in last week after an experienced nurse reported a higher than normal number of patients on her ward with "unexplained" low blood sugar levels.

The investigation has led police to suspect that saline containers may have been sabotaged.

They found insulin had contaminated a batch of 36 saline ampoules in a store room close to wards A1 and A3.

The results of further pathology tests to find out if the insulin contributed to the fatalities of Ms Arden, Mr Keep and Mr Lancaster are still being awaited.

Police stress they are still treating the deaths as unexplained.

Further post-mortem examinations will also be carried out.

Security has been stepped up at the hospital. Assistant Chief Constable Ian Hopkins said there had been "no further incidents of deliberate damage of contamination" since police were called in.