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E.coli inquiry told of dead flies E.coli inquiry told of dead flies
(30 minutes later)
Dead flies, woodlice and insects were found at a butcher which supplied meat that led to an E.coli outbreak, a public inquiry has been told.Dead flies, woodlice and insects were found at a butcher which supplied meat that led to an E.coli outbreak, a public inquiry has been told.
But previous environmental health inspections did not consider the failings enough to shut the company down, the inquiry's first day heard.But previous environmental health inspections did not consider the failings enough to shut the company down, the inquiry's first day heard.
More than 150 children and adults fell ill and a five-year-old died in 2005.More than 150 children and adults fell ill and a five-year-old died in 2005.
The butcher who was jailed for a year for supplying the contaminated meat will not give evidence to the inquiry. The butcher who was jailed for a year after admitting placing unsafe food on the market will not give evidence.
Inquiry chairman Hugh Pennington has said the truth would be sought and failings made clear.Inquiry chairman Hugh Pennington has said the truth would be sought and failings made clear.
At the start of the fiurst day of the six week inquiry in Cardiff Bay a minute's silence was held for Mason Jones, the boy from Bargoed, Caerphilly county who died. At the start of the first day of the six-week inquiry in Cardiff Bay a minute's silence was held for Mason Jones, the boy from Bargoed, Caerphilly county, who died. Prof Pennington said Mason was "very much in my mind".
Butcher William Tudor, from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan who was jailed for supplying the meat in September, will not be compelled to give evidence, the hearing was told.
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
Professor Pennington said the little boy was "very much in my mind".
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.
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.
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.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.
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 William Tudor, from Cowbridge, Vale of Glamorgan, would not have to appear at the hearing, Mr Eadie said Tudor had rejected repeated invitations to provide the inquiry with a statement.
"That is his choice," Mr Eadie said."That is his choice," Mr Eadie said.
He added that the inquiry had decided not to use its power to call him to give evidence.
If mistakes have been made, we will have to point those out so that we don't make those sort of mistakes again Prof Hugh PenningtonIf mistakes have been made, we will have to point those out so that we don't make those sort of mistakes again Prof Hugh Pennington
"There is evidence from experts, evidence from employees and others gathered at the time by the police."There is evidence from experts, evidence from employees and others gathered at the time by the police.
"Moreover, by his guilty plea, he has accepted at least the central thrust of the case the local authorities made against him.""Moreover, by his guilty plea, he has accepted at least the central thrust of the case the local authorities made against him."
As well as the dead insects at the butchers' plant, the inquiry was told there was also congealed dirt found around machinery used for slicing and packing food.As well as the dead insects at the butchers' plant, the inquiry was told there was also congealed dirt found around machinery used for slicing and packing food.
Other issues the inquiry is investigating include the inspection of food businesses and the way the outbreak was managed.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 Scotland 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." The Crown Prosecution Service decided not to bring a separate charge of gross negligence manslaughter after a police investigation. Mr Eadie said some affected families might be considering whether there were viable legal challenges to that decision.
Mason's mother, Sharon Mills, said she was confident the inquiry would reveal the truth of what happened. There were 157 probable cases of the E.coli 0157 strain and 118 confirmed during the outbreak, which was declared on 16 September 2005 and declared over on 20 December that year.
Earlier, she led parents of children affected by the outbreak into Crickhowell House Some justice
Prof Pennington, a microbiologist who investigated a previous E.coli outbreak in Lanarkshire in 1996, said before the hearing: "If mistakes have been made, we will have to point those out so that we don't make those sort of mistakes again."
Mason's mother Sharon Mills and father Nathan Jones 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."
The inquiry which is being held at Crickhowell House, Cardiff Bay, is expected to hold six weeks of oral hearings. Mason's death had a big effect on his brothers Chandler, 10, and Cavan, three, she said.
Chandler was "withdrawn and he is very worried about what he eats," said Ms Mills. "He and Mason were so close".