GMP £2million probe into lab staff is shelved after 7 YEARS

A SEVEN-YEAR investigation into claims lab technicians manipulated data at a Manchester forensic lab has been shelved by Greater Manchester Police.

- NEAL KEELING

The force says it has not taken the decision lightly but has been unable to secure the funding needed to continue the huge inquiry, which has so far seen £2m spent. As reported by the Manchester Evening News in 2017, scientists are suspected of potentially perverting the course of justice.

It was alleged staff at the private Randox Testing Services Laboratory falsified around 10,000 drug tests, including samples from sex cases, violent crimes, unexplained deaths and driving offences.

An investigation was started by GMP into data manipulation by seven workers at a site in Blackley, north Manchester. Two firms involved in the investigation provided services to GMP for the purposes of identifying drug use.

A High Court ruling in 2021 which allowed GMP to retain materials which could potentially assist any prosecution read: "The forensics analysed hair, blood, and urine for quantities of illegal substances, and the results provided, some of which were falsified, were used in criminal, family, coronial or employment cases.