THE father of a Muckamore Abbey Hospital patient last night vowed to step up his campaign for a public inquiry into the abuse at the Co Antrim facility.
Glynn Brown (58), who played a crucial role in exposing the scandal, made the comment after the latest revelations that CCTV footage have identified 1,500 crimes in just one ward.
The east Belfast man said he had been left "shocked at the extent" of the crimes uncovered.
The Irish News revealed earlier this week that police confirmed it is the "largest adult safeguarding case" of its kind undertaken by the PSNI.
The detective heading up the investigation into allegations of physical and mental abuse of vulnerable patients said they are now entering a "crucial" stage, with viewing of hundreds of thousands of hours of footage of the ward which sparked the probe almost concluded - and criminal interviews imminent.
Police are currently investigating dozens of incidents linked to the care of Mr Brown's 23-year-old son, who is non-verbal and suffers from severe learning disabilities, while he was being nursed in the hospital's Psychiatric Intensive Care Unit in the summer of 2017.
Speaking to The Irish News last night, Mr Brown expressed his frustration with the ongoing refusal for a public inquiry. But he said he was determined to keep his campaign for the truth going.
"I'm glad the story has finally exploded in a nuclear fashion," he said.
"People will now see what a massive scandal it really is.
"Despite knowing about the scandal, even I was shocked at the extent of it. But I am under no illusions that there will be more to come.
"All the politicians are in agreement that a public inquiry is needed.
"We will be not giving up. People here campaign until we get what we need and that is what we will do.
"I am also aware that police carry out their investigations methodically and I would rather they take their time and things are done properly."
East Belfast DUP MP Gavin Robinson has also said he has asked for a meeting with Secretary of State Julian Smith.
Mr Brown also said he plans to establish a petition calling for a public inquiry.
"We want the public to get behind us," he said.
"Please go to your MLAs and tell them you want an inquiry. We intend to start a petition and hope the public will back us.
"It's hard, but we will continue in our campaign for a public inquiry."
