Huntley improves after suicide bid

The man charged with the murders of Soham schoolgirls Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells has improved after yesterday's suicide bid.

Ian Huntley was taken off life-support today after taking a drugs overdose at HMP Woodhill in Buckinghamshire yesterday morning. He was taken to Milton Keynes General Hospital at around 4am. The incident was described by authorities as a "serious incident of self harm".

Conservative Home Affairs spokesman James Paice has written to the Home Secretary today demanding an inquiry into the suicide attempt.

Mr Paice, in whose constituency the murders of Jessica Chapman and Holly Wells took place last year, said: “I find it quite astonishing that a man who was apparently on suicide watch was able to obtain the means with which to try and kill himself.

“This is simply not acceptable. I want to know what happened, how it happened and who is responsible. Mr Blunkett must hold a full inquiry.

“My heartfelt sympathies go out to the families of the two girls. The trial planned for this autumn might at least have helped them draw a line under the tragedy. Now that trial may well be delayed.”

Ian Huntley, 29, from Soham in Cambridgeshire, was charged on August 20 2002 with the murder the two 10-year-old schoolgirls. He pleaded not guilty to their murder at the Old Bailey in London in April. However, Ian Huntley has admitted to one charge of conspiring to pervert the course of justice.

His former girlfriend Maxine Carr has also pleaded not guilty to charges of helping an offender and perverting the course of justice.

A date of October 6 has been set for the trial.

Holly and Jessica went missing whilst out walking in Soham on August 4. Their bodies were later found near Lakenheath, Surrey, on August 17. Both Huntley and Carr had worked at St Andrew's school in Soham where both the victims were pupils.

(GMcG)