Anger over Shipman documentary

A decision to screen a dramadocumentary about the killings committed by Dr Harold Shipman only four days after the inquiry into the murders delivers its report has been condemned as "grossly insensitive".

Relatives of Shipman's victims were in tears after watching a private screening of the Yorkshire Television programme at a hotel in Hyde near his former surgery.

One woman, who is waiting to discover whether her mother was murdered by Shipman, said: "It was very hard to watch and people were in tears. In one scene you saw a dead woman just after Shipman had made a house call."

Shipman, 56, was jailed for life two years ago for murdering 15 patients by injecting them with morphine. But he is believed to have killed hundreds and the inquiry is expected to announce a definitive figure next week.

Granada TV, which owns Yorkshire TV, said it was necessary to show the drama before a public debate on Shipman.