AN MP is asking Kent Police to drop its action for recovery of £92,000 legal costs against a family whose mother bled to death when the police refused to allow paramedics to enter the premises where she had been shot in the legs.

South Norfolk MP Richard Bacon intervened after learning that Kent police has recently placed a legal charge on Catherine Elvin's family home in Winfarthing, Norfolk.

The police are seeking recovery of £92,000 legal costs from Mrs Elvin whose mother Loraine Whiting, of Ruins Barn Road, Sittingbourne, was shot in the legs by her estranged husband Leonard Carter. Immediately after shooting his wife, on March 10, 1995, Mr Carter shot himself dead.

Mrs Whiting then spent 61 minutes on the telephone to the emergency services, pleading for help. She dialled 999 no less than 30 times to report that Mr Carter was dead but police refused to enter the premises and prevented paramedics from assisting.

A pathologist later told the family that, with early medical attention, Mrs Whiting would have had a 98 per cent chance of survival.

Police said they didn't enter the premises because they were not sure the man was dead and did not want to risk the lives of members of the emergency services at the scene.

Since the incident there have been numerous investigations by the police and a call for a public inquiry, which was turned down.

Kent Police wants to claim up to £92,000 from the proceeds of Mrs Elvin's home should she ever sell it.