MP urges open files on nurse's unsolved 1959 murder

An MP has urged the government to open files into the unsolved murder of a nurse 67 years ago.

Martha Giles, a mother-of-five who worked on a psychiatric ward at Wolverhampton's New Cross Hospital, was killed in the hospital's grounds on 12 February 1959.

Sir Gavin Williamson said while a suspect was acquitted due to circumstantial evidence, he was "deeply concerned" that papers on the case sealed for 75 years, were recently sealed for another 20 years, until 2055.

Policing and crime minister Sarah Jones said whilst decisions surrounding the opening or closing of National Archives records were a matter for the Metropolitan Police, she would be happy to arrange introductions.

Sir Gavin, Conservative MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge, said the files' release would bring "long overdue closure" to the nurse's last surviving child.

Speaking in the House of Commons, he said Giles' daughter, Mrs Edwards, had "waited far too long for crucial answers".

In a letter he wrote to Jones on 19 February, he said the "unnecessary delay" was causing "excessive distress" and compounding grief and uncertainty that "no one should ever have to experience".

"I am deeply concerned that the papers now risk being sealed for almost an entire century," he wrote.

"I would be very grateful if you could arrange for these introductions to happen as soon as possible."

"Furthermore, I would appreciate receiving a prompt and comprehensive written response to the matter from yourself to provide clarity for Mrs Edwards."

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