A PARLIAMENTARY debate is due to take place tonight into failings at Stafford Hospital.

It comes three days after chief executive Martin Yeates, formally resigned. Mr Yeates had stepped down from his role as chief executive in early March, days before the Healthcare Commission was due to publish its findings. The report criticised Stafford Hospital for a series of failings. It highlighted how between 400 and 1,200 more people died than would have been expected over a three-year period up to 2008.

Today, Stone MP Bill Cash renewed his call for a public inquiry into the hospital's failings. The Tory MP said: "Martin Yeates resigning was the right thing to do.

"There will be a debate in the House of Commons tonight at which I will be renewing my call for a full public inquiry into what went wrong."