RELATIVES of the victims of killer GP Harold Shipman's were celebrating today after a court victory in their fight for a public inquiry.

Judges at the High Court in London ruled Health Secretary Alan Milburn had not justified his decision to hold the probe behind closed doors. They believed the decision contravenes The European Convention on Human Rights.

Today's ruling, which is an important step toward securing a public inquiry, came after the relatives and a group of the country's leading newspapers, including the Manchester Evening News, won a judicial review.

Mr Milburn now has to rethink his decision but he may still choose a private inquiry, as long as he can give good reason.

The families of 55 known and suspected victims, who have named themselves the Tameside Families Support Group, have also won a judicial review against inquiry chairman Lord Laming over his decision not to allow them legal representation.

The families' legal bid to have a public inquiry was launched in May.

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