Redfern inquiry: can you help?

Prospect is asking members with information relevant to the Redfern human tissue inquiry to contact the union or the inquiry team.

In 2007 there was substantial media coverage about the circumstances in which human tissue analysis had been conducted at certain UK nuclear facilities, from 1955 to the early 1990s.

As a result the government established an inquiry led by Michael Redfern QC that is considering the legal and ethical issues arising from the manner in which human tissue analysis was conducted in this period.

Prospect and the other industry trade unions have welcomed the establishment of the inquiry. We are taking all reasonable steps to ensure that any relevant information that members, reps or Prospect may have is made available to the inquiry.

The inquiry is examining sensitive matters that have complex legal, ethical and regulatory aspects. In particular it will look at custom and practice for the retention and testing of organs and inevitably the extent to which the processes adopted complied with the relevant law and ethics of the time.

Any members with relevant information are invited to come forward and provide this to Prospect or direct to the inquiry. We are conducting an inspection of our files and writing to branches with members employed in UK nuclear facilities to invite them to share any information that may be available.

We have also taken advice from Russell Jones & Walker, the solicitors retained by Prospect in relation to the inquiry process. Where members wish to provide evidence and want to know more about the inquiry process we will provide advice as necessary.

Prospect has received some detailed requests from the inquiry which we are sending to branches. These illustrate that the inquiry is understandably focusing on the extent to which various stakeholders, including trade unions, were aware how human tissue analysis was being undertaken and the extent to which consent was required and received from relatives of the individuals involved.

Members who wish to contact the inquiry direct can reach the secretary, Keith Smith on 0161 837 1550. The correspondence address is The Redfern Inquiry, 7th floor, 1 Byrom Place, Manchester M3 3HG.

Members who have information they wish to provide Prospect may contact Mike Clancy, assistant general secretary, at Prospect headquarters.

Downloadable resources