Scots campaigners who blame hormone pregnancy tests for harming their unborn babies have welcomed Andy Burnham’s support in their fight for justice.
In his first big Commons speech as a returning MP, the new Prime Minister backed families who say the drug caused devastating illnesses in their children in the 70s.
Burnham previously accused the UK Government of “using its might” to “bully” and “silence” disabled campaigners in the courts.
Families hope he will help their decades-long fight for justice.
Wilma Ord, 79, of Livingston, took Primodos in 1970. Her daughter Kirsteen, 56, is deaf, severely asthmatic and has cerebral palsy.
View 4 ImagesWilma Ord and daughter Kirsteen(Image: Sunday Mail)
She said: “I was delighted that Andy Burnham referenced Primodos campaigners and we hope that under his leadership we can finally see the redress and justice we deserve.”
Marie Lyon, of the Association for Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests, added: “It has been a difficult time as we continue to lose more members each year, whilst waiting for Justice.
“It is particularly difficult when we are starting to lose the children affected by Primodos.
“It was such a huge moment for all our families to hear Andy reference Primodos in his first major speech.
“Andy has supported our families for the last 13 years and his reference to Primodos consolidated that support.
“I am positive that Andy will the Prime Minister who finally ensures our families receive peace of mind and hope for the future.”
View 4 ImagesMarie Lyon, Chair of the Association For Children Damaged by Hormone Pregnancy Tests, joined the group in 1978 after her daughter Sarah was born with a severe limb deformity.
Primodos was taken off the market in 1978. By that point, 1.5 million women had taken it. Manufacturer Schering, now part of Bayer, has denied a link to birth defects.
However a 2020 independent review found that health regulators failed patients and that Primodos was responsible for “avoidable harm”.
The scandal is thought to have affected hundreds of women in Scotland as well as in the north-west of England.
Speaking to Sky News in 2022, Burnham, who is a former health secretary, said: “It’s barely believable that the government are, I would say, bullying the victims of a terrible medical negligence case in court. How can that be right?
“The government and the pharmaceutical company are using their combined might to silence the victims. It is utterly wrong. And it renders the apology given by the former health secretary in 2020 utterly meaningless.”
And he again backed their campaign in a speech two weeks ago which was primarily focussed on a new Hillsborough Law which is designed to stop government cover ups.
View 4 ImagesPrimodos was taken off the market in 1978 amid fears of a link to birth defects.
In 2023, Primodos campaigners lost a High Court battle for compensation – leaving the claimants potentially liable for costs.
It is hoped the Hillsborough Law would force officials to reveal more information about the drug which would assist the Primodos case.
The law is named after the 1989 Hillsborough disaster, which claimed 97 lives after a crush during the FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool and Nottingham Forest.
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Police leaders were found to have spread false narratives about the disaster, blaming Liverpool fans, and withheld evidence of their own failings.
It will now be sent to the House of Lords for further scrutiny before it can become law.
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