The dad of twins drowned in the bath by their own mother says it is 'paramount' the killer is involved in the inquest into their deaths.

Steven Ford's comments came during a pre-inquest review on Friday, which sets out who will give evidence at a full inquest later this year.

The inquest will be an Article 2 hearing examining the mental health care Samantha Ford received before she killed Jake and Chloe, aged 23 months, on Boxing Day 2018 at her Margate home.

Legal representatives from IC24 - the organisation which runs the NHS 111 service - and Kent and Medway NHS Social Care Partnership were at the pre-inquest review in Maidstone.

Brenda Campbell QC, representing Samantha Ford, also attended.

During proceedings, it was heard Ford, who was found guilty of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility at the Old Bailey last year, would not be making a statement for the inquest.

Ms Campbell also said it is “highly unlikely” Ford will attend the full hearing.

Mr Ford said: “I think it’s paramount that she is involved as an interested person.

“It’s of the utmost important that she’s brought forward as a witness.”

Samantha Ford’s family were not at the pre-inquest review.

She is currently serving a 10-year sentence for the killings, partly to be served at the Trevor Gibbens psychiatric unit in Maidstone until she is deemed fit for prison.

During the criminal trial last year it was heard how she had Google-searched how long it takes to drown someone and her actions were described as a “twisted act of vengeance” against her estranged husband Steven.

Another pre-inquest review will be held in April or May ahead of the full inquest later in the year.

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