HEALTH Minister John Hutton has confirmed that the public inquiry into mass murderer doctor Harold Shipman will include his time as a general practitioner in Todmorden.

He said it would consider the full extent of the jailed medic's "unlawful activities." It would also examine the actions of the authorities in relation to Shipman and how he got away with possibly killing more than 300 of his patients.

And he said that Dame Janet Smith's inquiry would also make recommendations to prevent any repeat.

Mr Hutton also promised to ensure that the people of Todmorden were kept fully informed and got access to hearings of the inquiry to be held at Manchester Town Hall with a TV link to Hyde Town Hall in the town where most of Shipman's practice took place.

Calder Valley MP Chris McCafferty told Mr Hutton: "We owe it to the many unknown and suspected victims of Shipman, and their families, to do all we can to ensure that we uncover the truth about his activities, and to establish safeguards to ensure that such things never happen again."

Mr Hutton said: "Shipman broke the trust of his patients in the most appalling way. However, he should not be allowed to break the trust that exists between family doctors and their patients."