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Probe into Sellafield body parts Sellafield body parts inquiry due
(about 11 hours later)
The government is to investigate union claims that nuclear workers who died in the 1960s and 70s may have had body parts removed without consent. Claims that nuclear workers who died in the 1960s and 70s had body parts removed without consent are to be discussed in the House of Commons.
The GMB said that samples were taken from up to 70 former employees at Sellafield in Cumbria. The GMB union said that samples were taken from up to 70 former employees at Sellafield in Cumbria.
British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL), which owns Sellafield, confirmed autopsy material had been used for "legally correct" purposes such as inquests.British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL), which owns Sellafield, confirmed autopsy material had been used for "legally correct" purposes such as inquests.
The firm said it can prove instruction or consent for 61 out of 65 cases. Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling is to make a statement later.
A government spokesman said Trade and Industry Secretary Alistair Darling would appoint a leading QC to lead a "full, proper and independent investigation" into the matter. He is expected to say he will appoint a QC to lead an independent investigation into the claims.
Mr Darling is due to make a statement to the House of Commons on Wednesday. The prime concern is the feelings of the families DTI spokesman
Radiological analysis sampling began in the 1960s and stopped in 1992, according to BNFL. The GMB claims workers' body parts were removed for medical examination without the knowledge of families.
This is an historic issue not a current one, however our prime concern is the feelings of the families of those involved BNFL spokesman These included tissue, bones and body parts removed without permission, it is claimed.
The GMB claims tissue, bones and body parts may have been removed without permission during the tests. GMB National officer Gary Smith said: "Our chief concern is for the families of those who died during this period and the anguish they face.
National officer Gary Smith said: "Our chief concern is for the families of those who died during this period and the anguish they face.
"We need information from the company and we expect a quick reply to clarify what has happened.""We need information from the company and we expect a quick reply to clarify what has happened."
The subject came to light because of a request by the Westlakes Research Institute to examine data for a new study, said a BNFL spokesman. Inquiry call
He said: "This is an historic issue not a current one, however our prime concern is the feelings of the families of those involved. A spokesman for the Department of Trade and Industry said: "The prime concern is the feelings of the families.
"Files exist at Sellafield for 65 cases. An examination of the data has shown that in 56 of those cases the sampling was associated with coroners' post-mortem examinations or inquests. "There are clearly a number of matters that need investigating dating back to the 1960s."
'Samples destroyed' Prospect, which represents workers at Sellafield, also called for a public inquiry after claiming that from the early 1960s until the early 1990s vital organs were removed from the bodies of former workers who had died from cancer.
The union said organs were removed from more than 60 workers at several BNFL sites, as well as workers at the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston.
In a letter to BNFL it said the only way to counter concerns was for the company to clarify its policies and actions at an independent public inquiry.
'Historic issue'
General secretary Paul Noon said: "We don't want to rush to judgment but we do want the facts.
"Removal of organs from deceased radiation workers without consent would be ethically, morally and possibly legally wrong. Whatever the motives it should not have happened."
A spokesman for BNFL said: "This is an historic issue not a current one, however our prime concern is the feelings of the families of those involved.
"The sampling of autopsy material began in the 1960s and ceased in the early 1990s.
"Files exist at Sellafield for 65 cases. An examination of the data has shown that in 56 of those cases the sampling was done associated with coroners' post-mortems or inquests.
"In five other cases it was done under instruction from other legally correct bases, such as family solicitors."In five other cases it was done under instruction from other legally correct bases, such as family solicitors.
"For the remaining four cases there is no record of instruction or consent on file although this does not mean that appropriate requests were not made.""For the remaining four cases there is no record of instruction or consent on file although this does not mean that appropriate requests were not made."
All tissue samples taken were destroyed by the process of analysis and no tissue is stored on site today, he explained.
The union Prospect, which represents workers at Sellafield, said organs were removed at several sites, including the Atomic Weapons Establishment at Aldermaston, Berkshire.
General secretary Paul Noon said the issue must be treated in an open and transparent way to protect the interests of the affected families and employees across the nuclear industry.