Free: The case against Rebecca Leighton, accused of murdering three patients, has been dropped
Prosecutors dropped charges today against the 27-year-old nurse accused of poisoning patients at a hospital.
It is 'no longer appropriate' to continue the case against Rebecca Leighton, who was charged with contaminating saline drips at Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, the Crown Prosecution Service said.
CPS prosecutor Nazir Afzal said: 'The inquiries, which are still ongoing, have not so far provided us with a stronger case which would meet the test that there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction.'
He added: 'We have conducted a review of the case with senior police officers and sought the advice of leading counsel on whether it would be right to keep Rebecca Leighton in custody while investigations are continuing.
'The advice we have received is that on the evidence currently available there is not a case in law which could proceed and that the charges should be discontinued.'
Ms Leighton had been charged with the murder of three patients - Arnold Lancaster, Tracey Arden and Derek Weaver.
Assistant Chief Constable Terry Sweeney, from the Greater Manchester Police, said: 'Our thoughts continue to be with the families of those whose deaths are being investigated and I want to take this opportunity to say that their search for answers is matched only by our desire to provide them.
'It is not appropriate for me to comment any further in relation to Rebecca Leighton or any other individual but this remains an ongoing and pro active investigation.
'This investigation is without doubt one of the most complex investigations that our most senior detectives have ever worked on, comparable in size and scope to Manchester bomb inquiry.
'The scope of this investigation is extensive and we cannot rule out making other arrests in our search for the truth, and this remains as true as ever.'
Authorities say that there are more than 40 potential victims and a pool of around 700 people that they need to interview in connection with the case.
These include staff, patients and visitors.
So far around 200 people have been quizzed by officials.
Victims:Tracey Arden, 44, George Keep, 84, and Arnold Lancaster, 71, who died at Stepping Hill Hospital in Stockport
Derek Weaver, 83, and Vera Pearson, 84, whose deaths are linked to saline poisoning
Chief Constable Sweeney added: 'In this case our further investigation has shown that there were over 700 people who could have had access to the area concerned in a tight time period.
'A working hospital is a very busy working environment where there are huge numbers of people coming and going and staff trying to look after patients.
'No one has made any definitive admissions in this case, there is obviously no CCTV of patient treatment and many members of staff had legitimate access to the areas and materials involved.'
Unsolved: Police are continuing to investigate the deaths at Stepping Hill Hospital, which occurred in July
The alarm was raised when a higher than normal number of patients were reported to have 'unexplained' low blood sugar levels.
A statement from CPS also explained that a charge against Rebecca Leighton for the theft of medication belonging to the hospital has also been discontinued.
Mr Afzal said: 'While there is sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction on this charge, we have decided it is not in the public interest to proceed as Rebecca Leighton would be likely to receive a nominal penalty given the time she has already spent in custody.'
