UK: Moors Murderer Ian Brady is undergoing a series of tests after becoming “acutely physically unwell”.

He is due to attend a mental health tribunal on Monday regarding his application to be transferred to a Scottish prison and be allowed to die.

But his appearance at that hearing is now in doubt after he was taken ill at the high-security Ashworth Hospital in Merseyside where he has spent the last 25 years.

A hospital spokesman said today: “Ian Brady, a patient at Ashworth Hospital, has been admitted to a general hospital after becoming acutely physically unwell on the ward.

“He is undergoing a series of tests and, as a precaution, he will be kept in.

“Ian Brady, 74, is in a single room and will be accompanied in that room at all times by two nurses from Ashworth Hospital. Two other members of Ashworth Hospital staff will also be on duty outside his room throughout his stay in the general hospital.

“It is too soon to provide a comment about his condition.”

Brady has been tube-fed since refusing food 12 years ago.

His solicitor, Richard Nicholas, confirmed his client was in hospital but said he could not comment any further on what happened.

He said the tribunal “was obviously very important”, adding: “We are waiting for a decision. We hope it’s not going to be affected.”