Murder victim's brother snubbed by ministers

The brother of a banker stabbed to death by a mental patient told today how he has been snubbed by government ministers. John Finnegan wrote to Tony Blair about care in the community after his brother Denis was murdered in Richmond Park.

His attacker, John Barrett, was a paranoid schizophrenic who had left mental hospital after being given ground leave despite concerns over his state of mind. It was the latest in a string of 10 killings in two years carried out by mental health patients in London.

Mr Finnegan was so distressed about his brother's murder he wrote to the Prime Minister in November, pleading: "My brother's death should not be in vain." In December, Mr Blair asked the

Home Office and Department of Health to reply on his behalf. But in the three months since then, neither Home Secretary Charles Clarke nor Health Secretary John Reid has replied. Both ministers have also ignored follow-up letters in which Mr Finnegan told them he was "disappointed" at their failure to respond.

Today Mr Finnegan told the Evening Standard: "It is their duty to reply. I'm not usually the type of guy to put myself forward, but if it had been me that was killed, I know that Denis would be making such a fuss."

Barrett, 42, was appearing in court for sentencing today after he admitted manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. He is expected to be sent to Broadmoor indefinitely.

Officials are set to announce an external inquiry into the handling of Barrett's care by South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust, which has begun an internal inquiry. In his initial letter, Mr Finnegan told Mr Blair he had suffered an " emotional nightmare" since the "senseless and avoidable" murder.

He wrote: "There are obviously failings within the mental health trust at all levels, and the fact that the trust are failing to stop such incidents should give you great concern." A No 10 official returned Mr Blair's condolences, adding: "The Prime Minister appreciates the concern you now have over the mental health trust.

"He has asked that your letter be passed to both the Department for Health and the Home Office ... in order that they can reply more fully on his behalf." Three months later, Mr Finnegan wrote to Mr Clarke inquiring about a response. Last night, after the Standard raised the case, the Home Office said a reply would be sent "imminently".

It emerged today that the NHS trust at the centre of the Barrett case is facing a deficit of ?8 million and is considering cuts. Yet it is recruiting eight directors and assistant directors on salaries of between ?53,000 and ?70,000.

The Department of Health said it would reply soon. Today No10 promised an investigation.