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18/04/2007
Inquiry launched into Sellafield organ removal
An inquiry has been launched into claims that body parts and tissue was removed from the bodies of nuclear workers at Sellafield without their families knowledge.
It has been alleged that the workers, who had been employed at the Cumbria plant in the 1960s and 1970s had tissues, bones and body parts removed.
Trade Secretary Alistair Darling announced the launch of the inquiry in an emergency statement to the Commons on Wednesday.
The investigation, which will be led by Michael Redfern QC - who also carried out the inquiry into the body parts scandal at Alder Hey Children's Hospital - will try to establish why the tissue was taken, whether next of kin were told and if proper procedures were followed.
British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) said that, in most cases, the samples had been taken in connection with coroners' post mortems or inquests, while in others the samples were taken in association with legal proceedings.
However, there was no information regarding the request for samples in four cases, although BNFL stressed that this did not mean that appropriate requests were not made.
Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokesperson Susan Kramer said: "It is vital that we know why these samples were taken and what, if anything, was discovered.
"We welcome the inquiry into these known cases in Sellafield, but the government should now initiate a broader investigation into other existing and decommissioned nuclear facilities where other similar practices may have taken place.
"The families of workers at other nuclear facilities will be looking for reassurance about this deeply disturbing revelation."
(KMcA/JM)
It has been alleged that the workers, who had been employed at the Cumbria plant in the 1960s and 1970s had tissues, bones and body parts removed.
Trade Secretary Alistair Darling announced the launch of the inquiry in an emergency statement to the Commons on Wednesday.
The investigation, which will be led by Michael Redfern QC - who also carried out the inquiry into the body parts scandal at Alder Hey Children's Hospital - will try to establish why the tissue was taken, whether next of kin were told and if proper procedures were followed.
British Nuclear Fuels (BNFL) said that, in most cases, the samples had been taken in connection with coroners' post mortems or inquests, while in others the samples were taken in association with legal proceedings.
However, there was no information regarding the request for samples in four cases, although BNFL stressed that this did not mean that appropriate requests were not made.
Liberal Democrat trade and industry spokesperson Susan Kramer said: "It is vital that we know why these samples were taken and what, if anything, was discovered.
"We welcome the inquiry into these known cases in Sellafield, but the government should now initiate a broader investigation into other existing and decommissioned nuclear facilities where other similar practices may have taken place.
"The families of workers at other nuclear facilities will be looking for reassurance about this deeply disturbing revelation."
(KMcA/JM)
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