The 'conspiracy of silence' over the future of Alton's Lord Mayor Treloar Hospital was lifted this week when local MP, Michael Mates, challenged Tony Blair during Prime Minister's Question Time.
With the site about to go on the market, Mr Mates called on the PM to justify what he believes amounts to a "scandalous waste of resources" at Alton.
A full version of this story will be found in the Alton Herald of June 30, 2000.