THERE has been a wall of silence from Surrey County Council since the tragic death of a pensioner who was left alone by a care agency, say the county's Liberal Democrats.

Councillor Hazel Watson – leader of the Liberal Democrat opposition on Surrey County Council – has issued Freedom of Information requests to the council and Surrey Police asking to be provided with a copy of the police report into their investigation into the death of Gloria Foster.

Ms Foster was left alone for nine days without food or medication. Carefirst24, which provided care to elderly people across the county on behalf of Surrey County Council, shut with no replacement after officers from the UK Border Agency and the Metropolitan Police raided its premises, on January 15.

The 81-year-old, of Banstead, died in February after the Sutton-based care agency was raided as part of an investigation into suspected illegal workers and fraud.

Ms Foster was found at home by a district nurse and died in hospital.

For full story, see this week's Haslemere Herald.