A CONTROVERSIAL auction of letters written by serial killer Harold Shipman from behind bars may not now go ahead.

The owner of the letters and the auctioneer insist the correspondence provides a unique insight into Shipman's thoughts but they say they are re-considering the sale because of the 'upset' caused to relatives of the GP's victims.

Last week's M.E.N. reported how Shipman sent the letters to David Stott and his wife Mavis, who were patients of the Hyde GP.

In them, Shipman pours scorn on his trial and the subsequent inquests and public inquiry, insisting he is innocent. He also mocks the families of some his victims who, he wrote, wanted 'their two minutes of fame'.

The mass murderer, who is believed to have killed up to 200 patients, also calls south Manchester coroner John Pollard 'a moron'.

The letters were discovered by Mr and Mrs Stott's son, also called David, after they died. He decided to auction them through Frank Marshall and Co of Knutsford.

The proposed sale prompted anger from families of Shipman's victims, Stalybridge and Hyde MP James Purnell and Mr Pollard.

Today it emerged the auction, scheduled for November 10, may be cancelled.

Nick Hall, principal auctioneer at Marshall's, told the M.E.N: "At this stage there's chance we might not actually proceed with the auction. I'm going to be having discussions with our client as to whether to proceed and look at alternatives.

"It seems to me that, rather than being seen as objects of historical significance as I would have hoped, people are just seeing them as objects to revile.

"It seems to have caused a lot of upset. If that's the majority public opinion, then we will be guided by that.

"I'm just a little surprised that it's been such a vitriolic response. I would expect that to a certain extent but not on the scale it has been.

"I do suspect people are being led by the nose rather than forming their own opinion. But if that's the opinion they have arrived at, then that's something I must consider."

Mr Hall blamed negative publicity for the furore. He declined to reveal the 'alternatives' being considered, saying it was a private matter for the owner and auctioneer.

Hyde and Stalybridge MP James Purnell said: "The plans to auction these letters have caused a great deal of distress and prompted a strong reaction.

"I know that a decision to remove these items from the public auction would be widely welcomed. And I hope that will be the eventual outcome."

The M.E.N. has been unable to contact Mr Stott for a comment although it is understood he had moved from the UK to Spain before the auction became public knowledge.

Shipman was jailed for life at Preston Crown Court in Janu ary 2000 for murdering 15 patients, aged between 49 and 81. He took his own life aged 57 in jail in January 2004.