THE conduct of the authorities, both here in Britain and in Poland, in the case of Ian McLean is extremely worrying.

We do not seek to lionise Mr McLean, a 44-year-old jailed quite properly for a horrific attack on his former lover that could have ended her life, who then went on the run.

But he was also unwell and in those circumstances there is a duty of care that, on the known facts so far, seems to have been sorely lacking.

We will continue to question Oxford Health over why he was able to escape from its unlocked facility, with a passport in his pocket, and why it appears a doctor helped him obtain it by signing the application form.

And, of course, most reasonable people will wonder why, having obtained the passport, he then had access to it and why he was able to get to Belgium before his ‘captors’ even knew he had walked out of Littlemore Hospital.

The Polish authorities who moved him from a psychiatric unit of the prison and left him with his shoelaces also have answers to provide to some awkward questions.

You may take the view that this was just one set of unfortunate circumstances.

But that would be wrong.

Ian McLean should not have been able to escape, let alone wander off to Poland, where he hanged himself in a prison cell. It is only by holding to account those at fault for this tragic set of circumstances that we can try to ensure there is never a repeat.