The wife of convicted serial killer Harold Shipman will end her public silence on her husband's crimes by giving evidence about him for the first time.
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Dr Harold Shipman
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Mrs Primrose Shipman (54) has been forced to testify in public at the inquiry in Manchester.
Inquiry chief Dame Janet Smith said Mrs Shipman will be asked about three of her husband's patients, two of whom are suspected murder victims.
Until now, Mrs Shipman has only given a general statement to the inquiry and has refused to speak publicly about the case.
Earlier this week Mrs Shipman's legal team asked that she be allowed to give evidence either behind closed doors or via a video link from another building.
She was afraid of being harassed or intimidated if she attended the inquiry at Manchester Town Hall.
But Dame Janet ruled it was in the public interest for her to give evidence to the inquiry just like any other witness.
"Mrs Shipman is not suspected of any criminal activities or any conduct for which she might be criticised. This inquiry is looking at the activities of her husband and not her," she said.
PA