Shropshire families call for national inquiry into baby ashes scandal

Ashes of up to 50 babies may not have been recovered after services at Emstrey Crematorium in Shrewsbury, according to early estimations.

Action For Ashes campaign group, based in Shrewsbury, has been contacted by families from across the country who have had similar experiences.

Glen Perkins, chairman of the action group, has called for the Government to launch a national inquiry to provide families with answers.

The Ministry of Justice is being kept informed of the progress of the Shropshire inquiry to see whether there is anything to be taken into account on a national level.

David Jenkins, the chairman of the independent inquiry into Emstrey Crematorium set up by Shropshire Council, said it was too early to say whether any issues should be considered nationally.

He said based on work he has carried out so far, he estimated there could be 40 to 50 cases where ashes were not returned to parents over 15 years.

Mr Perkins, who was told there would be no remains after the cremation of his four-month-old daughter Olivia in 2007, set up Action For Ashes in September.

He is campaigning for a change in the law to force hospitals and crematoriums to give remains to families.

He said: "We are calling for a national investigation unit to be set up. We want people to come forward now and hopefully people will start speaking out.

"I am being contacted by families in Hull, Harrogate, Bradford, Derby and who knows where else. The investigators in the Emstrey Crematorium inquiry, which is the only inquiry going on, are looking at 50 cases in the last 15 years."

Mr Jenkins said: "I can understand people's strong views. However, my responsibility is to look at cases in Shropshire and that is what I've been commissioned to do.

"It's too early for me to give any conclusions as to whether there are any issues in Shropshire that I think go more widely and should be considered nationally."