Infected blood scandal: Inquiry into NHS disaster to publish findings - BBC

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By Nick Triggle and Jim Reed

BBC News

The public inquiry into the infected blood scandal, known as the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history, is due to publish its findings.

More than 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C from 1970 to 1991 by contaminated blood products and transfusions.

About 3,000 of them have since died - many haemophiliacs given infected blood products as part of their treatment.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to issue an apology on Monday.

Chairman Sir Brian Langstaff will deliver his findings after the Infected Blood Inquiry took evidence between 2019 and 2023.

• What is the infected blood scandal and how many people died?

• The stories behind the infected blood scandal

• Hundreds infected with hepatitis C without knowing it, BBC finds

Two main groups of people were caught up in the scandal.

One was people with haemophilia, and those with similar disorders, who have a rare genetic condition which means their blood does not clot properly.

In the 1970s, a new treatment was developed to replace the missing clotting agents, made from donated human blood plasma.

But whole batches of the treatments - Factor VIII and Factor IX - were contaminated with deadly viruses.

Some of the treatments were imported from the US where blood was bought from high-risk donors such as prison inmates and drug-users.

The second group affected include people who had a blood transfusion after childbirth, accidents and during medical treatment.

Blood used for these patients was not imported, but some of it was also contaminated, mainly with hepatitis C.

• Infected blood inquiry: Five things we have learned

• I lost my mum, dad and baby sister to HIV in infected blood scandal

The key issues addressed by the inquiry include:

• whether the victims have been supported enough

• whether there were attempts by the government or NHS to conceal what happened

• what more should have been done to prevent people becoming infected, including whether screening could have been introduced sooner.

Sir Brian's two interim reports, published in July 2022 and April 2023, made recommendations about compensation for victims and their families.

The government has said it accepts the "moral case" for compensation, and interim payouts of £100,000 each have already been made to about 4,000 survivors and bereaved partners.

Ministers have promised to address the issue of final compensation once the inquiry's report is published. The total cost is likely to run into billions.

On Sunday, the Conservatives and Labour both committed to compensation for victims, no matter the outcome of the general election expected later this year.

Shadow health secretary Wes Streeting told Laura Kuenssberg there was a "rare moment of consensus", as Defence Secretary Grant Shapps agreed families had been let down "over decades".

The Tainted Blood campaign group chairman, Andy Evans, who was infected with HIV and hepatitis C as a child through his haemophilia treatment, said publication of the report would be a "defining" moment after decades of campaigning.

"This is where we pin our hopes, really - we don't have anywhere else to go after this," he said.

"From the very beginning, victims have been gas-lit by government saying that the treatment was the best available and every decision was made with the best intention and with the best information they had available at the time.

"Through the course of the inquiry, that's proven to be false. The testimony that we've heard, both from victims and from people in office and the NHS, has shown that that wasn't true."

During the four-year inquiry, victims and their families have given evidence alongside former and current ministers, including Lord Clarke, who was health minister in the 1980s, and the current chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, who also gave evidence in his former role as health minister.

Speaking to the BBC's Westminster Hour on Radio 4, Labour's Dame Diana Johnson, the leading MP campaigning in parliament for the victims of the scandal, said many of the victims and their families were "apprehensive" and "worried" ahead of the report's publication, as "so many times before they've been let down".

She said those affected by the scandal had had to "battle and battle" against successive governments who had denied any wrongdoing since the 1980s, and that compensation for them would be "an acknowledgment of what the state did to those individuals and their families".

She said there was hope that their main questions - "Why was this allowed to happen and why was it covered up for so many years?" - would be answered by Sir Brian.

Speaking on the same programme, former Business Secretary Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg said, "If the state has killed people it has got to pay the price", and that the government "should not shy away from it being expensive".

He added that the scandal demonstrated a "defence mechanism within the institutions of the state which we need to break down".

"For some reason there is a desire to cover up the mistakes made by long since passed government to no benefit of anybody who is currently in government...I do not understand why the state is not more open to saying yes mistakes were made."

On the issue of compensation for victims and their families, the Conservative MP said: "People deserve this compensation. This is one of the most important bills the government will pay."

Campaigners have also been critical of how long it has taken to get a public inquiry.

In other countries that faced contaminated blood scandals, including France and Japan, investigations into the medical disasters were completed many years ago.

In some cases, criminal charges were brought against doctors, politicians and other officials.

In the UK, a private inquiry in 2009 - funded entirely by donations - lacked any real powers, while a separate Scottish investigation in 2015 was branded a "whitewash" by victims and their families.

In 2017, following political pressure, then-Prime Minister Theresa May ordered a UK-wide public inquiry.

The findings are set to be presented at 12:30 BST.

Related Topics

• HIV & Aids
• UK infected blood inquiry
• Health
• NHS

Related Internet Links

• Infected Blood Inquiry

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Father of boy, 13, who drowned in the River Tyne tells of his anguish after the death of another lad, 14, on t - Daily Mail

• Robert Hattersley was swept under by the current in the river in July 2022 

By Matt Strudwick

Published: 16:46 EDT, 19 May 2024 | Updated: 16:53 EDT, 19 May 2024

The father of a boy who drowned in the River Tyne has told of his anguish after another teen died on the same stretch of water. 

Carl Hattersley says yesterday's tragedy has brought back memories of his ordeal in July 2022 when his son, Robert, 13, died. 

Robert, from Crawcrook, was swept under by the current when he got into difficulty while swimming with his pals in the river in Ovingham, Northumberland. 

Yesterday, a 14-year-old boy died and a 13-year-old boy is in a critical condition after getting into difficulty in the same waters. 

The teen who passed away had jumped in to save his friend who began to struggle while playing on a rope swing, locals revealed. 

Mr Hattersley, who has set up a foundation in his son's name to raise awareness of the dangers of open water swimming, said he wanted to send his condolences to the boy's family.

'It brought back memories about what happened to our son, or what we went through,' Mr Hattersley said.

'We want to send our condolences to the family that have lost their young lad, to give them our love and support.

'If they want they can get in touch with a phone call because we know what it's like to lose a little boy.'

He said he was 'quite disappointed' with Northumberland Council, which he says has not been in touch with him since his son's death.

'We thought something would have been done by the Northumberland Council by now,' he said.

Mr Hattersley said he wanted to raise awareness of the dangers of open water swimming in schools.

'Let's get people aware, of all ages, like these young teenagers,' he said.

'If they're not from around here they might not know the dangers of Northumberland's rivers because it's quite dangerous and strong because of the current.'

He told Chronicle Live that there needs to be more awareness among older children about the dangers of the current. 

'It can be quite strong in that area,' he said. 'It's very dangerous, that's why we want people to patrol the area.

'Kids are kids. They go down to the river and they don't see the dangers, they think it's fine. As the summer gets closer there's going to be more going down there.'

It is believed the two boys were part of a larger group of friends who had travelled from the west end of Newcastle around 12 miles away. 

A woman who drove past the scene yesterday claimed the 14-year-old had attempted to rescue his younger pal who had jumped into the water.

The woman, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'I heard the first boy went into the river from the swing and he showed he was in trouble so the second one went in after him - I think he's the one who died'. 

Shortly after 3.30pm on Saturday, police received a report of concern for the welfare of two teenage boys who were in the river near the bridge at Ovingham.

Emergency services were immediately deployed to the area and one of the boys, aged 13, was rescued from the water.

He was taken to hospital where he currently remains in a critical condition, police said in a statement on Sunday morning.

The witness added: 'There was a group of about eight teenage girls and boys so they must have travelled here together.

'They have come here thinking it is a nice spot to play. It's very common to see kids travelling from the Newcastle area.

'They think it's a calm spot to jump in the river but they don't realise the dangers. It's absolutely devastating.

'My kids used to play down and there and I would always say please, please be careful.

'I've even been down there and cut the swing down before but the kids put it back up.

'There was a big group of people who had gathered and I think the parents of some of the kids were here.

'Usually when this happens they don't find the bodies until they search further down the river but I think this time the poor child was pulled not far from where he's gone in.

'The river is very deep and the kids don't realise how deep and dangerous it is.

'My head is spinning thinking about how sad it is.'

A massive manhunt was launched and a number of organisations conducted a thorough search of the area in a bid to locate the second boy.

'Sadly, the 14-year-old's body was later found in the water and he was pronounced dead at the scene,' police said.

The parents of both boys are being supported by specially-trained officers at this extremely difficult time.

Chief Superintendent Helena Barron, of Northumbria Police, said: 'This is an absolutely tragic incident, and our thoughts are with the families of both boys at this difficult time as we continue to support them.

'A number of agencies were involved in the incident and their support was hugely appreciated.

'It is with great sadness that we could not provide a more positive update.' 

The police cordon guarding the site where the two teens went into the water was finally lifted on Sunday afternoon.

Forensic officers had earlier spent the morning gathering evidence from the scene.

Access to the river is gained via a steep muddy slope just off Main Road which runs through the village of Ovingham.

The rope swing on the river bank has been left shortened, with the rope wrapped around a tree branch.

All emergency services have now left the area.   

The Northumberland Fire and Rescue Service took to X yesterday to announce that a road closure was in place, later adding: 'Teams are currently on scene at an ongoing incident at the river Tyne near Ovingham. 2 Swift Water Rescue units from Pegswood, an appliance from Prudhoe and a number of senior officers are present.

'We are working with Police, the Ambulance Service + Mountain Rescue at this time.'

A North East Ambulance Service spokesperson added: 'We were called to reports of concerns of two people in the water in Ovingham at 3.30pm this afternoon.

'We dispatched our full Hazardous Area Response Team as well as two ambulance crews, a specialist paramedic, a clinical team leader and an officer.

'We also requested support from Great North Air Ambulance Service'.

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New blow for Sunak as cabinet minister says he will stand down at election - The Independent

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Rishi Sunak has suffered another blow after a sitting cabinet minister announced he will not be standing at the next general election.

Northern Ireland secretary Chris Heaton-Harris said it had been an “honour and a privilege to serve” as he became the 65th Conservative MP to say they are leaving parliament.

His decision, as the MP for a seat with a majority of 26,000, will do little to dispel Tory fears over their chances at the election.

His announcement came just hours after another soon-to-depart MP, former chancellor Nadhim Zahawi, suggested that Tory MPs should not have been “spooked” into ousting Boris Johnson.

Mr Heaton-Harris’s move means he joins a Tory exodus that includes former PM Theresa May, ex-chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng, and former defence secretary Ben Wallace.

Mr Sunak has also suffered the shock defections of Conservative MPs Natalie Elphicke and Dan Poulter to Labour in recent weeks.

In a letter announcing his decision, Mr Heaton-Harris thanked his constituents in Daventry in Northamptonshire and Mr Sunak as well as former prime ministers Mr Johnson and Liz Truss.

He added that he would continue to campaign for the Conservatives as the “only party that has and can deliver for the whole of the United Kingdom”.

First elected as an MP in 2010, the fierce Eurosceptic was appointed Tory chief whip under Mr Johnson.

Later that year, Ms Truss made him secretary of state for Northern Ireland, a role he kept when Mr Sunak took over as prime minister.

At the time, the Stormont power-sharing institutions had collapsed because of a DUP protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements.

As Northern Ireland thrives, our union will strengthen

Chris Heaton-Harris, Northern Ireland secretary

The Stormont executive returned in February this year in the wake of the establishment of the Windsor Framework. In his resignation letter to the prime minister, Mr Heaton-Harris said that the framework had “both solved many of the major practical issues created by the Northern Ireland protocol, put in place as we left the EU, and helped reset our countries’ relationship with our European neighbours”.

He added: “I strongly believe the conditions now exist for Northern Ireland to thrive, with privileged access for manufactured goods into the EU single market while being an integral part of our UK internal market and being able to benefit from the international trade deals we negotiate; it finds itself in a remarkabl[y] favourable position – and as Northern Ireland thrives, our union will strengthen.”

Mr Heaton-Harris continued: “I know we are not far from a general election, an election in which I will do everything I can to see you returned as prime minister. I would be honoured if you allowed me to continue as secretary of state for Northern Ireland until that time.

“There are a still a number of pieces of unfinished business I wish to complete and I love the people, place and job, but obviously would understand if you feel it best to replace me.”

Mr Zahawi, who played a key role in persuading Mr Johnson to stand down, said “I wish we had held our nerve” in regard to the former prime minister.

He told The Sunday Times that Mr Johnson, who quit after a series of scandals, had been the most “consequential” leader since Margaret Thatcher.

Mr Zahawi was made chancellor in July 2022 by Mr Johnson in the wake of Mr Sunak and dozens of other ministers leaving his government.

Two days later, Mr Zahawi publicly called for Mr Johnson to stand down, having privately told him “the herd is stampeding” and that unless he resigned “they are going to drag your carcass out of this place”.

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Police search for missing boys aged ten and 12 last seen in Cannon Hill Park - Birmingham Live

Police are desperately searching for two missing boys who were last seen in Cannon Hill Park. The families of Abu and Bilal, aged ten and 12, have not been heard from them since earlier today, Sunday, May 19.

The park would have been busy with visitors enjoying the sunny weather. Police issued an image of the pair eating ice creams bought from a van in the park.

A number of officers were looking for them and anyone who spotted them was being asked to contact the force.

READ MORE: Police probe new Glendower Road drive-by gunfire a week after shots fired on same road

Birmingham Police posted: "Have you seen Abu and Bilal ? The 12 and ten-year-olds, pictured earlier today, were last seen earlier today in Cannon Hill Park and we're concerned for their safety.

"We have a number of resources in the area at the moment searching for them, and we're asking anyone who sees them or thinks they saw them to call 999 immediately quoting log number 2218 of May 19."

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MP brands South West Water 'contemptible and incompetent' as parasite infections rise - The Independent

South West Water: ‘Boil water’ warning lifted for most homes across Devon after parasite outbreak

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An MP has branded a water company “contemptible and incompetent” as the number of people infected with a waterborne parasite in Devon continues to rise.

South West Water (SWW) has been blamed amid fears drinking contaminated tap water is what has led to more than 100 residents falling ill in the area of Brixham, which the company supplies with water.

Anthony Mangnall, the MP for Totnes and South Devon, said on Saturday that the firm’s response to the crisis has “put a lot of people’s health at risk”.

Chief executive of SWW, Susan Davy, was forced to apologise on Friday over the outbreak, saying she was “truly sorry”.

It comes as SWW said 14,500 households can now drink their tap water safely – however, 2,500 properties in Hillhead, upper parts of Brixham, and Kingswear have been advised to continue to boil their water beforehand.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of parasite cryptosporidium had been confirmed in Brixham, up from 22 cases on Thursday, while more than 100 people reported symptoms, including diarrhoea, stomach pains and dehydration.

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Torbay’s director of public health, has warned the number of infections may continue to increase for “up to two weeks” due to delays in symptoms developing.

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Tara Cobham19 May 2024 15:10

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Watch: Thousands of Brixham residents told they can safely drink tap water again

Thousands of Brixham residents told they can safely drink tap water again

Tara Cobham19 May 2024 14:00

1716121647

Infections in Devon water parasite outbreak to keep rising for weeks, public health boss warns

The number of people infected with a waterborne disease following a parasite outbreak in south Devon is likely to increase for up to two weeks, a public health boss has warned.

Around 16,000 households and businesses were told not to use their tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first, as more cases are anticipated.

Read more here:

Tara Cobham19 May 2024 13:27

1716116745

Inside the picturesque harbour town facing a dirty water crisis

“Beautiful, isn’t it”, calls over a tourist wearing a bright blue “I love Devon” T-shirt. And as I stand in Brixham harbour looking up at the rows of pretty ice cream-colour homes in the warm lunchtime sunshine, it’s hard to disagree.

Since the 19th century, this quintessential harbour town has justifiably become a hotspot for holidaymakers on a stretch of coast in Torbay known affectionately as the English Riviera.

But amidst the chatter inside the fish and chip shops, fudge-makers and pubs, it’s not the upcoming bank holiday, or even the appointment of a new manager at Torquay United that’s the topic of conversation.

Alex Ross reports:

Tara Cobham19 May 2024 12:05

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Local council leader blames SWW for parasite infections and brands its response ‘very poor’

A local council leader has blamed South West Water (SWW) for the outbreak of parasite infections in Devon and branded its response “very poor”.

Leader of Torbay Council, David Thomas, told The Independent: “It is their (SWW’s) job to provide clean, fresh water to the homes in this area. So I don’t know who else you would be suggesting where the blame should lie.

“I think in the beginning their response was very poor. They said there was no issue – I think at that point hindsight is a wonderful thing, they would’ve been better to say maybe there’s an issue. I think from when they got into full mode to deal with it, the resources that they pulled into this area were huge.”

However, he did add that what has been seen is “a community coming together”.

Himself living in one of the homes that have been affected, he said: “I absolutely understand the anger and upset and huge concern for everybody who’s been involved.”

He said three-quarters of the households impacted can now drink their take water safely, with hopes all will be able to by next weekend.

Tara Cobham19 May 2024 10:26

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‘Boil water’ advisory lifted for most residents in Devon, water supplier says

South West Water (SWW) said around 14,500 households in the Alston supply area could use their tap water safely, while 2,500 properties in Hillhead, the upper parts of Brixham and Kingswear still need to boil their supply before drinking it.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidium, a disease which can cause symptoms like diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in Devon, up from 22 reported on Thursday. Around a 100 more people had reported the same symptoms, and cases were expected to rise.

Shahana Yasmin reports:

Tara Cobham19 May 2024 10:00

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Thousands of Brixham residents told they can safely drink tap water again

Thousands of Brixham residents told they can safely drink tap water again

Thousands of people in Brixham can now safely drink their tap water again after days of being told to boil it first following a parasite outbreak, the region’s water supplier has announced. About 16,000 households and businesses in the Brixham area of Devon, supplied by South West Water (SWW), had been told not to use their tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidium, a disease which can cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in the town and that more cases were anticipated.

Tara Cobham19 May 2024 09:12

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New cases could continue to appear for weeks

Paul Hunter, professor in medicine at the University of East Anglia (UEA), told the BBC that the parasite could be in the incubation period for up to two weeks.

“One of the problems when you’re investigating outbreaks like this is that the incubation period can be about 10 days to two weeks, so often in the past when I’ve been involved in investigating outbreaks by the time you know you’ve got a problem, the problem has resolved itself anyway, but you can’t guarantee that,” he said.

“Even if they have stopped all new infections by now, you would expect to see further cases for at least 10 days to two weeks.”

Shahana Yasmin19 May 2024 07:30

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Prime minister Rishi Sunak calls for probe

A spokeswoman from Number 10 has said that the prime minister “understands the stress and worry this has caused residents”.

“He’s very clear that this must be investigated thoroughly by the Drinking Water Inspectorate and UK Health Security Agency.”

“Any water company that’s found to be in breach of rules on drinking water should expect to face the appropriate enforcement action up to and including criminal prosecution.”

The government has announced a quadrupling of inspections and provided increased powers to Ofwat and the Environment Agency to hold water companies to account, the spokeswoman added.

Shahana Yasmin19 May 2024 07:10

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Resident collapses from illness after parasite contamination in Devon water supply

The UK Health Security Agency said on Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidiosis, a disease that can cause symptoms including diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in the town, and hundreds more reported symptoms.

Chaz Attwood told Sky News his wife had been ill for 16 days after drinking the contaminated water.

“My wife has been drinking water to keep hydrated because she’s diabetic and the insulin that she’s had to have has doubled, and basically that affected her to start with,” he said.

“So that’s made her worse. We’re in a dreadful state. She was so weak I even phoned 999, and told the guy what was happening because she’d collapsed.”

South West Water staff and volunteers distribute water to the public at a water collection point in Brixham on Saturday (Getty Images)

Tara Cobham19 May 2024 06:50

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Brixham: Warning 'heads are going to roll' after water parasite outbreak - as restrictions lifted for most homes - Sky News

Thousands of homes have had their boiling water restrictions lifted after a water tank infected with cryptosporidium was drained and cleaned, South West Water has said.

About 17,000 households in the Brixham area of Devon were told to boil their drinking water following 46 confirmed cases of the disease.

On Saturday afternoon, South West Water lifted the boiling restrictions for 14,500 homes after water quality monitoring results found no traces of cryptosporidium in the Alston supply area.

However the water company said some 2,500 properties in Hillhead, upper parts of Brixham and Kingswear should continue to boil their supply before drinking it.

Cryptosporidiosis is caused by a tiny parasite and can lead to vomiting, stomach cramps and watery diarrhoea lasting about two weeks.

More cases are expected to be confirmed due to a delay in developing symptoms - and about 100 more people around Brixham were reporting signs of it on Friday.

South West Water believes the parasite probably entered supplies through a damaged pipe in a field containing animal faeces.

A contaminated water tank at Hillhead reservoir, where cryptosporidium was detected, was drained overnight and "thoroughly cleaned" on Saturday, South West Water said.

One local resident said she knew of only four houses out of 21 in Raddicombe Close, on the outskirts of Brixham, which have not had at least one person fall ill with cryptosporidiosis.

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The local MP has warned "heads are going to roll" over the incident.

Tory MP Anthony Mangnall, whose constituency includes Brixham, told LBC: "This is such a serious matter that yes, I think heads are going to roll over this."

He claimed the supplier had been too slow to issue its safety alert.

Image: 16,000 businesses and residents are affected by the boil water notice. Pic: South West Water

Mr Mangnall said: "From starting this week with a denial from South West Water that it was anything to do with them, delaying the fact that the boil water notice came in - meaning thousands of people used the water network - to then issuing it on Wednesday, and there are a lot of people who are very ill."

He called it an "absolutely disastrous week" and said locals were furious.

South West Water has said it's "deeply sorry" and that it's been "working tirelessly" to identify the source of the problem and fix it.

Image: Bottled water stations have been set up in the area.

Read more:
What we know about parasite found in drinking water
Parasite outbreak has 'destroyed' business

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey accused the government of not doing enough to hold water companies to account.

He told Sky News the firms were "putting profit over the environment, over public health" after multiple cases of sewage being released into rivers and seas.

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"We [Liberal Democrats] wouldn't wait for fines for pollution," Sir Ed said.

"There should be a sewage tax on the profits of these water companies so we can get the money now.

"There needs to be much tougher regulation... and we may need to look at restructuring the whole water industry."

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1:07

Kelly Holmes joins anti-sewage protest

It comes as dozens of protests over sewage releases were planned for Saturday.

Surfers Against Sewage is promoting "paddle-out" demonstrations at 30 locations, with Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes among those at the event in Brighton.

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Infections in water parasite outbreak 'set to keep rising for weeks' - The Independent

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The number of people infected with a waterborne disease following a parasite outbreak in south Devon is likely to increase for up to two weeks, a public health boss has warned.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said on Friday that 46 cases of cryptosporidium, a disease that can cause unpleasant symptoms such as diarrhoea and vomiting, had been confirmed in Brixham after people drank water feared to be contaminated with a waterborne parasite.

Around 16,000 households and businesses were told not to use their tap water for drinking without boiling and cooling it first, as more cases are anticipated.

Residents of the fishing town have complained of a lack of contact from the area’s water supplier South West Water (SWW). Its chief executive, Susan Davy, was forced to apologise for the outbreak on Friday, saying she was “truly sorry”.

Conservative MP Anthony Mangnall, whose Totnes constituency includes Brixham, vowed that “heads are going to roll” after “an absolutely disastrous week”, describing the anger as “palpable”.

Bottled water at Freshwater car park in Brixham (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

Dr Lincoln Sargeant, Torbay’s director of public health, warned that while the initial contamination has been “more or less dealt with”, delays in symptoms developing may cause the number of cases to increase for “up to two weeks”.

He told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme on Saturday the waterborne disease was “unpleasant but self-limiting” for most people, while it was “vulnerable people who are at risk for more severe illness”.

Dr Sargeant added: “It’s important for listeners to recognise that in terms of the initial contamination that we think is more or less dealt with, so with the boiled water notice, with bottled water, we are pretty sure now that no one needs to continue to be affected by contaminated water.

“And we know that South West Water is now actively doing work to flush through the system to make sure that ongoing contamination does not occur.

Workers at Hill Head reservoir in Devon (Ben Birchall/PA Wire)

“However, it’s important to recognise that people may continue to develop symptoms from that initial contamination up to 10 days, some people may even up to two weeks, so the numbers may increase – but that doesn’t necessarily mean that the situation is getting worse.”

SWW issued a “boil water notice” for Alston and the Hillhead area of Brixham after water tests showed “small traces” of the parasite.

SWW chief customer officer Laura Flowerdew said on Thursday a damaged air pipe in a field containing cattle was a potential source.

Speaking to LBC News on Saturday, Mr Mangnall said: “This is such a serious matter that yes, I think heads are going to roll over this, but it’s more important to get the system back up and running, make sure people have confidence in the network rather than pointing fingers.

Brixham Harbour in south Devon (Piers Mucklejohn/PA Wire)

“We do the investigation afterwards and we will make sure that those who are responsible are held to account.”

He added: “From starting this week with a denial from South West Water that it was anything to do with them, delaying the fact that the boil water notice came in, meaning thousands of people used the water network, to then issuing it on Wednesday, and there are a lot of people who are very ill.

“So, it’s been an absolutely disastrous week and the anger is palpable.”

Business owners in the fishing town have complained about the lack of contact from SWW.

Sally Dart, who runs homewares shop Flotsam 50 near Brixham Harbour, said business was “probably 30 to 40 per cent down” and described the water company as “appalling”.

Sally Dart, who runs Topsom 50 near Brixham Harbour, a shop that sells artwork, furniture, and flowers (Piers Mucklejohn/PA Wire)

Ms Dart said locals first felt symptoms after a busy pirate festival held in the fishing town between 4 and 6 May.

On SWW, she added: “They knew they had this problem – obviously the reservoir couldn’t cope for some reason or another, it was getting all the stuff off the field into it. No one was checking the quality of the water and we’ve all got sick and it’s stupid, really.”

A guest house manager said the disease has caused cancellations totalling “up to £1,000” and he had heard “nothing direct at all” from SWW.

Steve Price, who runs The Station Guesthouse in Brixham, told Today: “So for us at the moment, we are seeing guests actually cancelling.”

He said his business was “following all the guidance” to ensure visitors’ safety, adding: “So we’re trying everything we can to make sure that when guests do come that they feel comfortable and they feel safe. We’re also e-mailing all our guests at the moment to let them know we’re doing all this to try and put them at ease, to encourage them still to come and visit us because of course it’s a lovely area.”

Asked about what contact his business had with SWW, Mr Price said there had been “nothing direct at all”.

“We’ve had to instigate any contact, there has been notifications coming from Torbay Council about numbers to contact but it’s a shame for commercial businesses because we’ve had no one come round,” he added.

Asked how much his business had lost, he said: “So far, probably anywhere from up to £1,000 in cancellations so far, which is fairly substantial.”

Residents are being urged to boil water and let it cool before drinking it, preparing or cooking food or cleaning their teeth, although the company said water can continue to be used as normal for washing, bathing and flushing the toilet.

The disease can be picked up directly from the faeces of another person or animal, from swimming in or drinking contaminated water, or by eating contaminated food such as unwashed vegetables.

David Harris, Drought and Resilience Director at South West Water, told The Independent: "Our overriding priority must be the health and safety of our customers. Over the past four days, we have been working tirelessly to identify and resolve this issue. We are deeply sorry for the impact this disruption is having on daily lives.”

He said there are two water collection points set up over the weekend, with over 386,000 bottles of water delivered so far, while a compensation payment of £115 is being issued to customers.

He continued: “As part of our ongoing investigation, a damaged valve on private land has been identified as the possible cause, which has since been isolated from the network and repaired. As you would expect, we are urgently investigating how this happened, while working to rule out any other possible sources of contamination elsewhere in the network.

“The water tank at Hillhead reservoir, where tests confirmed the presence of cryptosporidium earlier this week, was drained overnight and will be thoroughly cleaned today. Once complete, we will start refilling the water tank later today. Officials from the Drinking Water Inspectorate are also on site to monitor progress, and daily testing continues to take place at points throughout our network.”

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2024-05-18 13:06:08Z
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