The parents of tragic Lexie McConnell are appealing to Prime Minister Tony Blair for an investigation into their daughter's death.

Nine-year-old Lexie, of East St Helen Street, Abingdon, died in 1992 at the John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, while being treated for an eye infection. She died from chickenpox after a prescription steroid destroyed her immune system.

Art and Victoria McConnell, along with the bereaved parents of five other children who died while being treated in hospitals across the country, are due to hand a letter to Mr Blair at Downing Street this afternoon. Mr McConnell said he wanted "open and truthful investigations into the deaths of our beloved children". He also referred to other recent cases where the medical profession had been called into question and demanded integrity when dealing with their cases. The parents, in their letter to Mr Blair, write that they found the health complaints system "conveniently structured to cover up medical incidents which cause children to die".

Lexie's parents have campaigned for a public inquiry into her death and highlighted the dangers of the drug, called cortico steroids, which she was prescribed.

The parents are due to be at Downing Street this on Tuesday (JUNE 16) afternoon to deliver the letter. Earlier in the day, they had a private meeting with Liberal Democrat health spokesman Simon Hughes MP, who is representing the parents in the House of Commons.

More than 80 MPs have offered their support to the parents. A meeting of MPs will take place in July when the issues will be discussed.

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