Joe Anderson urges inquiry after murderer escapes after visit to Aintree Hospital

The Mayor of Liverpool is calling for an "immediate inquiry'' after a drug-dealing murderer was helped by two men to escape after a hospital appointment.

Described as dangerous by Merseyside Police, Shaun Colin Walmsley, 28, fled from outside Aintree University Hospital as he was getting into a vehicle with prison officers.

Labour's Liverpool Mayor, Joe Anderson, said he is "angry and incredibly shocked'' by the "serious security breach'', and is currently waiting for a full briefing into what happened.

He said "We have to call for an inquiry into what has gone on and what has happened - I am going to write to the Home Secretary.''

He added: "This is somebody who is a convicted murderer who could well be in my city or anywhere else."

Mr Anderson said it is a "tense time'' in the city of Liverpool following recent murders and that to him it looks like Walmsley has been able to plan the escape well in advance."

We don't know whether he has got out to be part of any drug disputes in the city.''

He also said his understanding is that the two prison officers and Walmsley turned up to the hospital appointment in a taxi, but that he is waiting for confirmation of this.

"The issues are; how it has been allowed to happen, why there were only two guards for a category A prisoner, and why he was not in a secure vehicle, if that was the case,'' he added.