Ten members of staff suspended from the John Daniel Centre in Penzance over abuse allegations have been cleared by an internal investigation and are able to return to work.

The carers at the centre for vulnerable adults had been suspended following an internal complaint. Five staff members are still on bail following a police investigation.

A spokesman for Cornwall Council said: “The ten members of staff who were suspended by Cornwall Council last November following concerns raised over practices at the John Daniel Centre, a day service for people with a learning disability in Penzance, are returning to work following the conclusion of the management investigation carried out by the council.

"In all ten cases the investigator found insufficient evidence to substantiate the allegations, and has, therefore, recommended that no further disciplinary action should be taken.

While the council's management team said they, “fully support and accept these recommendations”, there are concerns the decision has been taken before the serious case review has reported.

Reg Broad, chairman of East Cornwall Mencap, said: “Parents and carers had total confidence in the process to start off with, but I am concerned now.”

In April, three men and two women were questioned by detectives investigating allegations about standards of care at the centre.

A 22-year-old Helston woman , a 21-year-old man from St Ives, a 58-year-old Penzance man and a man and woman from Hayle, both aged 57 have been re-bailed until December after being questioned by officer over allegations about the standard of care at the centre.