Still no charges - or answers - as medics mark two years being investigated over 'poison plot' at Blackpool Victoria Hospital

It means families who were warned their relatives may have been illegally pumped with drugs are still waiting for answers, while seven arrested medics wonder whether they will be charged with a crime.

Lancashire Police has remained largely tight-lipped throughout the past 26 months, even with local MPs calling for more transparency.

But The Gazette revealed how at least eight people were flagged as possible victims within the first weeks of the probe, which was launched on November 8, 2018 after the hospital called in police following revelations by a member of staff.

The first medic, a nurse, was arrested on suspicion of 'administering poison or a noxious substance' the day after, with another two medics held the following month.

A further four were arrested in April 2019.

All were suspended from hospital duty and released under investigation.

Detectives believe elderly patients were given prescription-only drugs to keep them heavily sedated at night.

The drug, Zopiclone, is widely used and, when used properly, perfectly safe.

One grieving daughter was told to cancel her dad's funeral so a post-mortem examination could be carried out.

She said at the time: "I would not wish this on my worst enemy."

A "number" of post-mortems have been done in connection with the investigation, police said while confirming no bodies have been exhumed.

A separate murder investigation was opened after suspicious injuries were found during tests on the body of Valerie Kneale, 75, who died after being treated at the Vic, though no-one has ever been arrested on suspicion of killing her.

In 2019, Fylde MP Mark Menzies said: "Given the number of people treated on this ward and in the wider hospital, it is vital we have updates from police on this investigation."

Blackpool North and Cleveleys MP Paul Maynard added: "I recognise the need to keep the public informed on such an important matter, while, at the same time, not compromising the ongoing investigation."

A Lancashire Police spokesman confirmed yesterday that the probe continues unaffected by the pandemic, and said of the medics on bail: "They remain released under investigation pending further enquiries."

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