[2025] EWHC 2684 (KB)

DS Brownsell stated that;

“DC Horsburgh was tasked with identifying appropriate non extra care and extra care patients to enable a comparison regarding staff. He was to identify a person suitably qualified to provide an overview of patient notes to ascertain if anything extra had been provided.”

DS Brownsell called the National Policing Improvement Agency (NPIA) and was provided with the details of Dr Richard Badcock. He continued;

“The rationale for instructing Dr Badcock as an Independent clinical expert is explained in the policy book entries. Dr Badcock's views, albeit not at that stage in final evidential form, were facts noted in Chris Tarrant's decision to charge and approved by his seniors in the fraud prosecution service.”

Criticism was levelled post trial at the choice of Dr Badcock as an expert given his limited expertise of hospitals such as Cawston Park. However I am satisfied that it provides no support for the Claimants’ case as to malice/bad faith. It was believed by the enquiry team that he was a suitable/appropriate expert.