Police quiz Hawking's wife

Nurses caring for scientist Stephen Hawking have been interviewed by police over claims he was assaulted by his wife.

Detectives investigating Professor Hawking's injuries will now question 53-year-old Elaine Hawking.

At least 10 nurses have given statements to Cambridge police claiming the scientist has suffered a number of acts of cruelty.

Professor Hawking's family have become concerned with his safety after he was taken to hospital a number of times with unexplained injuries such as a broken wrist, cut lip and gashes to the face. One nurse said she saw Mrs Hawking abusing her husband.

The nurse said: "She allowed him to slip down low in the bath so the water goes down the hole in his throat. She would withhold the bottle which he used to go to the toilet so he wet himself."

She added: "The verbal abuse is unbelievable. Her mouth is like a sewer, she is always angry." The nurse also claims, in today's Times newspaper, Mrs Hawking left her husband in the garden on a hot summer's day without his computer mouse so he could not talk and call for anyone.

Another nurse, who has also made allegations and now lives abroad, is being flown to Cambridge by police to be interviewed.

However the 62-year-old scientist, who suffers motor neurone disease, is confined to a wheelchair and communicates through a voice box, has refused to cooperate with police.

The nurse claimed he is in denial about the alleged assaults. One of Professor Hawking's sons by a previous marriage, Tim, 24, said: "I'm very concerned. He denies it every time I speak to him about it and I would hope he would respect me enough to tell me the truth.

The police inquiry comes three years after allegations he had been attacked.

Professor Hawking denied being assaulted and said: "I object strongly to my privacy being invaded." He is hospital in Cambridge being treated for pneumonia.

Mrs Hawking said she knew nothing of the investigation.