COUNCIL chiefs have refuted claims that treatment of two mentally ill men who killed after leaving care was solely down to them.

Mark Longman and Christopher Moffatt each carried out horrific murders after leaving care.

A damning report published earlier this week said the pair had been badly let down by the system.

It claimed Hampshire County Council failed to give any real financial backing for mental health until four years ago and did not train staff properly as some patients missed medication.

But a statement by North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority and the county council's social services said: "The local NHS and social services were both responsible for the care and treatment provided to these men at that time.

"In particular, the NHS rather than the county council is responsible for the provision of local secure services for patients.

"Also, the reference to inadequate training of staff refers to an independent sector organisation contracted by the local health authority."

The statement added that the report concerned the care and treatment of three patients, not just two.

Mr Longman, 31, who is currently being detained under the Mental Health Act, had been discharged from hospital near Basingstoke in January 1995. He killed his father at their Basingstoke home in June the following year by setting fire to him.

Mr Moffatt absconded from Parklands Hospital in the same town in February 1998 and entered a house in Hampshire two months later and stabbed a stranger to death. He later committed suicide.

The statement added: "Since the events described in the report, we have worked together to ensure that the important lessons are learned.

"To support this, there has been sustained investment from both Hampshire County Council social services department, where spending is now above average for English counties, and from the North and Mid Hampshire Health Authority, who have invested an additional 45 per cent in mental health services since 1997.

"The purpose of these reviews is to ensure that services provided to local people are safe, effective and responsive.

"We have worked hard to achieve this and, as the chairperson of the independent inquiry panel, said at the publication of the report 'mental health services in the area are now safe as anyone can reasonably expect them to be, indeed I believe local people can feel proud of the services they receive'."