Paramedics held over man's death

Two paramedics have been arrested on suspicion of neglecting to perform a public duty following the death of a man in Brighton.

South East Coast Ambulance Service said the men, aged 35 and 44, and both from Brighton, had been questioned and bailed to a date in January.

The pair have been suspended from the ambulance service pending the Sussex Police investigation.

Barry Baker, 58, died at his home in Braybon Avenue on 29 November.

'Full co-operation'

A spokesman for South East Ambulance said: "South East Coast Ambulance Service has suspended two male members of staff from duty as police conduct an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the sudden death of a man at his home.

"The men were arrested by Sussex Police on 5 December on suspicion of wilfully neglecting to perform duty in a public office.

"We are giving the police our full co-operation in this matter and are not in a position to comment further at this time due to the police investigation taking place."

An inquest into the death of Mr Baker was opened and adjourned on 17 December by Her Majesty's Coroner for the City of Brighton and Hove.

'Tidy and clean'

Mr Baker's neighbour Ralph Virgo said: "It was so sudden, there he was going to work one day but we woke up on the Saturday morning to see the ambulance and the police car, then the coroner's car.

"We just couldn't believe it."

Mr Virgo said Mr Baker had lived alone following the deaths of his parents, worked as a civil servant and had experienced trouble with his hips, which left him walking with a stick.

"He went to work looking as smart as a button, always tidy and clean," he said.

Mr Virgo said he had spoken to Mr Baker's relatives when the property was cleared before Christmas and understood a remembrance service was due to take place at All Saints Church in Patcham in January.