AS the Dawn Sturgess Public Inquiry came to a close after six weeks of hearings, closing statements were read by core participants.
Speaking on behalf of Dawn's family was Jesse Nicholls, Michael Manfield and Adam Straw, addressing the evidence that the inquiry has heard in recent weeks.
The family praised the work of the ambulance team at South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust (SWASFT), saying: "The response of the paramedics to Dawn and Charlie’s collapse was commendable, impressive, and should be recognised.
"The family wish to express their thanks to the ambulance staff for their efforts to help both Dawn and Charlie; they acted with great professionalism and care, and the family are grateful.
"The family also wish to thank staff at SDH for their efforts to help and care for Dawn."
However, they note the "stark contrast" between this response and that of the police.
The family said: "The response of Wiltshire Police (“WP”) to Dawn and Charlie’s poisoning was severely inadequate, blighted by arrogance, prejudice and a lack of professionalism.
"It should be publicly criticised."
They go on to critique the fact police "dismissed" medical professionals' opinion that Charlie Rowley was suffering symptoms of nerve agent poisoning - as heard earlier by paramedics who said they were "shocked" by the police response.
The family said that by doing this, "they put other first responders and the public at grave risk".
Dawn was said to have been a drug user by police, which was untrue. They had communicated to the hospital that they believed she was a drug user.
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The family said: "This was egregious and unforgivable: while Dawn was fighting for her life, Wiltshire Police ran checks on her through the Police National Computer to check for intelligence indicating drug use.
"Finding none – and, indeed, no evidence of any convictions, cautions or reprimands for any offence – DS Lawes and her colleagues did not then inform Dawn’s doctors that they held no evidence that Dawn was a drug user in order to aid and assist her diagnosis and treatment."
Later in the hearing, Wiltshire Police's closing statement was read.
It said: "[...] the reference in police documents including DS Lawes’ handover to Charlie and Dawn being “two known drug users”. That was correct in the case of Charlie.
"It was not correct in the case of Dawn. DCC Mills on behalf of the Force - and DS Lawes who included those words in 16 police documents - have both sincerely apologised. It should never have happened."
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It also said that where the inspector went against the paramedics' diagnosis of nerve agent poisoning when treating Charlie Rowley, "Mr Noble made an assessment at 7.19pm. He declined cordons at that time.
"He described the ambulance service’s concerns as understandable but noted the drugs information – which it appears the Ambulance Service did not have. He considered that provided the most likely explanation."
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