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Tribute to boy at E.coli inquiry Tribute to boy at E.coli inquiry
(about 1 hour later)
A public inquiry into an E.coli outbreak which affected more than 150 people has opened with a minute's silence for a five-year-old who died.A public inquiry into an E.coli outbreak which affected more than 150 people has opened with a minute's silence for a five-year-old who died.
Most of those who fell ill in 2005 in south Wales were children. Mason Jones, of Bargoed in Caerphilly county, died.Most of those who fell ill in 2005 in south Wales were children. Mason Jones, of Bargoed in Caerphilly county, died.
Butcher William Tudor, who supplied contaminated meat and was jailed last year, will not be compelled to give evidence, the hearing was told. Butcher William Tudor, who supplied contaminated meat and was jailed last year will not be compelled to give evidence, the hearing was told.
Chairman Hugh Pennington said the truth would be sought and failings clarified.Chairman Hugh Pennington said the truth would be sought and failings clarified.
The E.coli O157 strain outbreak affected 44 schools. It was the largest of its kind in Wales, the second biggest of its kind in the UK and the sixth largest worldwide.The E.coli O157 strain outbreak affected 44 schools. It was the largest of its kind in Wales, the second biggest of its kind in the UK and the sixth largest worldwide.
A police investigation into the outbreak shut down the Bridgend butcher's firm run by Tudor, which supplied the schools in the outbreak.A police investigation into the outbreak shut down the Bridgend butcher's firm run by Tudor, which supplied the schools in the outbreak.
I know that I've got to be strong enough, to get justice for Mason or some sort of justice Sharon MillsI know that I've got to be strong enough, to get justice for Mason or some sort of justice Sharon Mills
Last September, Cardiff Crown Court heard that a vacuum-packing machine which was "wrongly used" for both raw and cooked meats was the source of the contaminated meat.Last September, Cardiff Crown Court heard that a vacuum-packing machine which was "wrongly used" for both raw and cooked meats was the source of the contaminated meat.
Tudor, 54, from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, was jailed for a year after he admitted six food safety charges.Tudor, 54, from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, was jailed for a year after he admitted six food safety charges.
However, questions remain over how the bacteria was able to spread and reach 44 different schools.However, questions remain over how the bacteria was able to spread and reach 44 different schools.
The inquiry, set up by the Welsh assembly and which is being held at Crickhowell House, Cardiff Bay, is expected to hold six weeks of oral hearings. The inquiry which is being held at Crickhowell House, Cardiff Bay, is expected to hold six weeks of oral hearings.
In his opening statement, senior counsel to the inquiry James Eadie QC said the only factor connecting all the schools in the outbreak was meat from Tudor's Bridgend-based butcher company, John Tudor & Son. In his opening statement, senior counsel to the inquiry James Eadie QC said the only factor connecting all the schools in the outbreak was cold sliced meat from Tudor's Bridgend-based butcher company, John Tudor & Son.
He said: "The common feature linking these cases was the supply of cooked sliced meat from Tudor's.
"Accordingly, there is a single common strand linking all cases.
Prof Hugh Pennington is the inquiry's chairmanProf Hugh Pennington is the inquiry's chairman
"The pattern of cases involved in the outbreak is connected - and it appears connected only - with cold sliced meat being the contaminant source." Explaining that the butcher would not have to appear at the hearing, Mr Eadie said Tudor had rejected repeated invitations to provide the inquiry with a statement.
Explaining that the butcher would not have to appear at the hearing, Mr Eadie said the inquiry would be able to base its findings on police statements and other evidence already gathered. "That is his choice," Mr Eadie said.
Issues the inquiry is investigating include the source of the outbreak, the inspection of food businesses, the procurement of school meals, and the way the outbreak was managed. He added that the inquiry had decided not to use its power to call him to give evidence.
Prof Pennington, a microbiologist who investigated a previous E.coli outbreak in Lanarkshire in 1996, said before the hearing began: "I can promise, as we were charged by the assembly, to really look at the facts, to really burrow into all the details, and find out exactly what happened and what went wrong. "There is evidence from experts, evidence from employees and others gathered at the time by the police.
"If mistakes have been made, we will have to point those out so that we don't make those sort of mistakes again." "Moreover, by his guilty plea, he has accepted at least the central thrust of the case the local authorities made against him."
Other issues the inquiry is investigating include the inspection of food businesses and the way the outbreak was managed.
Prof Pennington, a microbiologist who investigated a previous E.coli outbreak in Lanarkshire in 1996, said before the hearing began: "If mistakes have been made, we will have to point those out so that we don't make those sort of mistakes again."
Mason Jones's mother, Sharon Mills, said beforehand she was confident the inquiry would reveal the truth of what happened and said she planned to be at the hearing every day.Mason Jones's mother, Sharon Mills, said beforehand she was confident the inquiry would reveal the truth of what happened and said she planned to be at the hearing every day.
Earlier, she led parents of children affected by the outbreak into Crickhowell HouseEarlier, she led parents of children affected by the outbreak into Crickhowell House
She said: "It will be difficult. Two-and-a-half years on, it's still upsetting to talk about what happened to Mason but I'm strong enough, and I know that I've got to be strong enough, to get justice for Mason or some sort of justice. She said: "It will be difficult. Two-and-a-half years on, it's still upsetting to talk about what happened to Mason but I'm strong enough, and I know that I've got to be strong enough, to get justice for Mason or some sort of justice."
"So I'm prepared to listen to all that's got to come out down there."
The inquiry continues.The inquiry continues.