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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. 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 TylerFor 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 of the pollution and died in a nursing home in Buckfastleigh, Devon, in June this year. 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.