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Camelford 'cover-up' claim probed | Camelford 'cover-up' claim probed |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Police are to investigate allegations of a possible cover-up in the aftermath of the Camelford water poisoning. | Police are to investigate allegations of a possible cover-up in the aftermath of the Camelford water poisoning. |
Twenty tonnes of aluminium sulphate were delivered into the wrong tank at a water treatment works at Lowermoor on the edge of Bodmin Moor in 1988. | Twenty tonnes of aluminium sulphate were delivered into the wrong tank at a water treatment works at Lowermoor on the edge of Bodmin Moor in 1988. |
Afterwards people complained of a range of health issues. | Afterwards people complained of a range of health issues. |
The probe was ordered by the West Somerset coroner who opened inquests into the deaths of two women who lived in the Camelford area at the time. | The probe was ordered by the West Somerset coroner who opened inquests into the deaths of two women who lived in the Camelford area at the time. |
One was 58-year-old Carole Cross, who died in 2004 and was the wife of environmental scientist Doug Cross, a member of a government committee which has been investigating the medical effects of the 1988 incident. | |
For nearly two decades Lowermoor water poisoning victims have demanded a real, open investigation Lord Tyler | For nearly two decades Lowermoor water poisoning victims have demanded a real, open investigation Lord Tyler |
A post-mortem examination revealed abnormally high levels of aluminium in Mrs Cross's brain. She suffered from a neurological disease. | A post-mortem examination revealed abnormally high levels of aluminium in Mrs Cross's brain. She suffered from a neurological disease. |
Irene Neal, 91, lived in Rock, north Cornwall, at the time of the pollution and died in a nursing home in Buckfastleigh, Devon, in June this year. | |
A brain autopsy on Mrs Neale, whose home was served by the Camelford water system, revealed an "unacceptable amount of aluminium in the brain", said her daughter Pam Melville. | A brain autopsy on Mrs Neale, whose home was served by the Camelford water system, revealed an "unacceptable amount of aluminium in the brain", said her daughter Pam Melville. |
The coroner Michael Rose said extensive pathology and other tests were undertaken by Professor Margaret Esiri at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, and by Dr Chris Exley at Keele University, Staffordshire. | The coroner Michael Rose said extensive pathology and other tests were undertaken by Professor Margaret Esiri at John Radcliffe Hospital, Oxford, and by Dr Chris Exley at Keele University, Staffordshire. |
Mr Rose said: "These tests have revealed there may be a connection between at least one of these deaths and the earlier incident. | Mr Rose said: "These tests have revealed there may be a connection between at least one of these deaths and the earlier incident. |
"In view of the serious allegations made in the media of a possible attempt to initially suppress the seriousness of the incident, I am asking the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall to hand me evidence gathered at the time of the original investigation." | "In view of the serious allegations made in the media of a possible attempt to initially suppress the seriousness of the incident, I am asking the chief constable of Devon and Cornwall to hand me evidence gathered at the time of the original investigation." |
He also asked the chief constable to appoint a senior detective "to look into the allegations of a possible cover-up". | He also asked the chief constable to appoint a senior detective "to look into the allegations of a possible cover-up". |
The coroner said he would like to resume the inquest hearing once that information is available. | The coroner said he would like to resume the inquest hearing once that information is available. |
A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "Following information contained within the coroner's press release, we have contacted him. | A Devon and Cornwall Police spokesman said: "Following information contained within the coroner's press release, we have contacted him. |
"He has not yet written to Devon and Cornwall Police but, when he does, we will consider his request." | "He has not yet written to Devon and Cornwall Police but, when he does, we will consider his request." |
'Open investigation demanded' | 'Open investigation demanded' |
Lord Tyler, who was the MP for North Cornwall between 1992 and 2005, said the news was a "case of better late than never". | Lord Tyler, who was the MP for North Cornwall between 1992 and 2005, said the news was a "case of better late than never". |
"For nearly two decades Lowermoor water poisoning victims have demanded a real, open investigation into the cover-up which followed the incident," he said. | "For nearly two decades Lowermoor water poisoning victims have demanded a real, open investigation into the cover-up which followed the incident," he said. |
"After years of dissembling from Conservative and Labour Ministers, it has taken the initiative of a coroner to get answers. | "After years of dissembling from Conservative and Labour Ministers, it has taken the initiative of a coroner to get answers. |
"I anticipate that the police will want to interview all the politicians involved." | "I anticipate that the police will want to interview all the politicians involved." |
After a trial at Exeter Crown Court in 1991, the South West Water Authority was fined £10,000 with £25,000 costs for supplying water likely to endanger public health. | After a trial at Exeter Crown Court in 1991, the South West Water Authority was fined £10,000 with £25,000 costs for supplying water likely to endanger public health. |
Three years later, 148 victims of the incident reached an out of court settlement, with payments ranging from £680 to £10,000. | Three years later, 148 victims of the incident reached an out of court settlement, with payments ranging from £680 to £10,000. |
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