TWO men arrested as part of the investigation into deaths at Airedale Hospital have been bailed.

The men, aged 53 and 47, and both from Keighley, were arrested last Friday on suspicion of manslaughter and perverting the course of justice.

They were interviewed by detectives at Keighley Police Station on Friday and released on bail later that same day pending further inquiries.

Janet Crouch, acting chief executive of Airedale NHS Trust, said: "This is part of a police investigation and, as such, this prevents us from saying anything further at this time.

"We are in close liaison with police and will continue to co-operate as their investigation continues. The two members of staff are currently not at work."

On the eve of the arrests, the Keighley News revealed a senior manager was the fifth person to be suspended on full pay from the Steeton hospital as part of the police inquiry.

The inquiry was launched after medical bosses, carrying out a routine audit into patient deaths, notified the police after studying records of a 96-year-old woman.

A senior nurse, Anne Grigg-Booth, has appeared at Bradford Crown Court charged with the murder of three elderly patients. She was bailed and faces a provision trial date in May. Grigg-Booth is also accused of attempting to murder a fourth patient and on 13 counts of unlawfully administering poison to 12 other patients.

Two women, both aged 52, and a 56-year-old man, were arrested and bailed earlier this year for alleged offences believed to relate to administrative procedures.

Their files have been sent to the Crown Prosecution Service for consideration.