Broadmoor chief resigns

Alan Franey, the chief executive of Broadmoor Hospital in Berkshire, which houses some of Britain's most dangerous patients, is to leave his post next month it emerged last night.

The hospital, which was the subject of an inquiry earlier this year following allegations that a child paedophile ring was operating within its walls and that patients held child pornography videos, will advertise for a new head to replace Mr Franey, 49, when he leaves on 25 July.

Mr Franey said last night: "It has always been my intention to retire early and I feel that it is better to take the opportunity to step down now and allow my successor the freedom to take the changes forward in their own way."

A spokesman added that a recent report following the inquiry, launched by the then Health Secretary Stephen Dorrell, had found "no evidence whatsoever of child paedophile ring or child pornography in Broadmoor".