Primodos Row: Watchdog Took Years To Warn GPs

By Jason Farrell, Political Correspondent

The Government medicines watchdog took years to warn doctors about a pregnancy test drug that may have caused deformities in babies in the womb, Sky News has learned.

The drug Primodos, a hormone pregnancy test, was prescribed by GPs across England in the 1960s and 70s - and was taken by 1.5 million British women.

But Sky News has found it was not licenced to be used in pregnancy after 1970 amid concerns about its effect on the foetus.

Freedom of Information Requests to the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) revealed letters were written to doctors - but not until five years later in 1975 when a warning was also placed on the packet. 

Then called the Committee on Safety of Medicines, the watchdog warned GPs of concerns about "an increased incidence of congenital abnormalities" in babies born to women who took the drug.

They wrote: "On the present evidence, the Committee believe that it is possible that the use of these preparations for the diagnosis of pregnancy could on occasion lead to abnormalities of the foetus."

Even after this, thousands of prescriptions were given to women until 1977 when the Committee sent a second letter to GPs saying the association had been confirmed. After this prescriptions ceased.

However, the MHRA said in a statement: "We do not hold any such letters and are not aware that any were sent by the CSM about Primodos or hormone pregnancy tests at that time. Nor are we able to comment on whether a letter should have been sent."

For years campaigners with deformities allegedly caused by the drug have challenged the German drug company Shearing, now owned by Bayer, to accept responsibility. The company however insists no link has been shown.

The MHRA says it's not aware of letters about Primodos

Three years ago Sky News conducted an exclusive investigation speaking to retired researchers who originally raised concerns about the drug.

One of them, Dr Isobel Gal who conducted research at Queen Mary's Hospital for Children in Surrey, told Sky News how she spent a decade trying to persuade people of the link.

Documents seen by Sky News, that have been sealed in the National Archives for 30 years, show CSM officials admitted they made mistakes while rudely dismissing Ms Gal and her research.

They, along with other letters about the drug, were found by an alleged victim of Primodos, Nichola Walton, who suffers from stomach and spinal abnormalities.

Campaigners want the drug company to admit responsibility

She said: "They've covered so many things up so many times. So many victims have already passed.

"So many parents have buried their children and they've not been able to see the evidence. They've not been able to explain. I just think it is appalling."

In a statement Bayer, which took over Shering, told Sky News: "UK litigation in respect of Primodos, against Schering (which is now owned by Bayer), ended in 1982 when the claimants' legal team, with the approval of the court, decided to discontinue the litigation on the grounds that there was no realistic possibility of showing that Primodos caused the congenital abnormalities alleged."

They also said that any use of Primodos as a pregnancy test after 1970 would have been "off-label".

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PM Crisis Talks On Threat From ISIS Militants

Timeline: How The Iraq Crisis Unfolded

Updated: 2:12pm UK, Tuesday 17 June 2014

A look back at the main events in the Iraq crisis, which has seen Sunni insurgents from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria (ISIS) terror group move to within 50 miles of the capital Baghdad.

December 2011: US troops complete their withdrawal after the 2003 invasion which led to the removal of Saddam Hussein.

August 2013: More than 70 people are killed in attacks at the end of Ramadan. ISIS claim responsibility.

January 2-4, 2014: ISIS declares itself in control of the western city of Fallujah and parts of Ramadi following clashes sparked by the clearing of a Sunni-Arab protest camp.

February: al Qaeda formally disowns ISIS, which was at one time an affiliate, because of its extreme methods.

April: Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki wins the most seats in a general election.

June 10: ISIS seizes all of Nineveh province in the north, including the capital Mosul - Iraq's second city. Mr Maliki asks parliament to declare a state of emergency.

June 11: The militants launch a wave of attacks further south, taking Tikrit and freeing hundreds of prisoners in Baiji. An assault on Samarra, 70 miles (110km) north of Baghdad, is repelled by security forces.

June 12: Iraq's air force strikes fighters' positions near Mosul and Tikrit.

US President Barack Obama says he is looking at "all the options" to help the government, which fails to secure authorisation for a state of emergency.

The army abandons its bases in Kirkuk, leaving Kurdish Peshmerga troops to take control.

June 13: A top Shia cleric issues a call to arms, telling the population to take up arms and defend their country.

Mr Maliki claims government forces have started to clear cities of "terrorists" and implements an emergency plan to protect Baghdad.

President Obama rules out sending back troops to fight ISIS.

The rebels move into the towns of Saadiyah and Jalawla in eastern province of Diyala.

June 14: Iran offers to work with the US to tackle the crisis, as Britain pledges an initial £3m in emergency aid to help refugees fleeing the violence.

The Iraqi army's fightback continues, with forces retaking the towns of Ishaqi, al-Mutasim and Duluiyah in Salaheddin province.

Troops also regain much of Tikrit, Saddam Hussein's home town.

US aircraft carrier USS George HW Bush is ordered to the Persian Gulf.

June 15: Photos emerge appearing to show an ISIS massacre of 1,700 captured government soldiers. Baghdad says number is exaggerated.

Reports say militants have overrun Tal Afar, the largest town in Nineveh province.

A bombing in central Baghdad leaves 15 people dead and dozens injured.

Former PM Tony Blair tells Sky News that critics who believe the violence is the result of the 2003 invasion are "profoundly mistaken".

June 16: Video footage purporting to show an ISIS fighter questioning and killing unarmed Iraqi soldiers draws condemnation.

ISIS takes control of Tal Afar and the al Adhim area of Diyala province.

US Secretary of State John Kerry says Washington is "open to discussions with Iran".

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Croydon Rave Death: CCTV Images Released

Police investigating the death of a teenager who died after attending an illegal rave have released photographs of seven men they want to speak to.

Rio Andrew died after falling ill at the illegal party at a disused sorting office in Cherry Orchard Road, Croydon, south London, in the early hours of Sunday.

Rio Andrew collapsed at the rave and died a day later in hospital

The 15-year-old, from Notting Hill in London, was at the party with friends.

He collapsed during the event and was taken to hospital where he died on Monday.

A 19-year-old remains in hospital after also falling ill.

Scotland Yard have stressed they do not believe any of the men captured on CCTV images were involved in the teenager's death.

They have appealed for the men to come forward because they believe they might have information about disorder during and after the rave.

Commander Simon Letchford said: "The behaviour of some of those attending this illegal rave and the direct attacks on officers who were there to maintain public safety is completely unacceptable.

"We will identify all those responsible and bring them to justice."

Nine people were arrested during the rave - and a further five people have been arrested today - bringing the total to 14.

Offences range from violent disorder and money laundering to drugs offences, handling stolen goods and criminal damage.

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Ofsted Chief: 'Bad' Parents Should Be Fined

'Bad parents' who do not support their children's education - by missing parents evenings or not reading with them - should be fined, the head of the schools watchdog has said.

Headteachers should also be able to impose financial penalties against mothers and fathers who do not force their children to do their homework, says Sir Michael Wilshaw, the Chief Inspector of Schools.

Sir Michael told The Times that being poor was too often used by white working-class families as an excuse for failing to succeed at school.

His comments were made in the context of results which reveal that white children with working-class, British parents often do not perform as well as those from immigrant communities.

It comes after Education Secretary Michael Gove saying that parents will face "stronger sanctions" if they fail to ensure children turn up to school and behave properly.

He said this could come in the form of deductions from benefits.

The Ofsted head said his views were formed from his time spent working as a head teacher in London's inner-city schools.

Sir Michael Wilshaw says parents use being poor as an 'excuse'

He told the newspaper: "I was absolutely clear with parents; if they weren't doing a good job I would tell them so. It's up to head teachers to say quite clearly, 'You're a poor parent'.

"If parents didn't come into school, didn't come to parents' evening, didn't read with their children, didn't ensure they did their homework, I would tell them they were bad parents.

"I think head teachers should have the power to fine them. It's sending the message that you are responsible for your children no matter how poor you are."

Sir Michael said some schools in inner-city areas were among the best-performing.

Bad parents are those who do not read with their children, says Sir Michael

He added: "London is showing that all children can do well, including poor children, and what we need to do is replicate what's happening here elsewhere. There's too much variability and inconsistency across the country."

He said it was important to note that the group that was now doing worst was white British children.

In order to catch up with the world's leading nations, he added, the gap in performance between those children with white British and those with immigrant parents needed to narrow.

"Immigrant communities are doing very well educationally and it should be recognised that they've added value to this country's performance," he said.

Poverty was used as an excuse for failure by white working-class families all too often, he added, saying: "It's not about income or poverty. Where families believe in education they do well. If they love their children they should support them in schools."

Sir Michael also said he supported the reforms to exams planned by the Government and backed a return to the use of textbooks.

He also said he approved of Mr Gove's proposals for radical changes, saying they were "absolutely necessary", and urged head teachers to "get on with it. Stop moaning".

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Hillsborough Wiki Entry Civil Servant Sacked

A civil servant who made changes to the Wikipedia page about the Hillsborough disaster from a government computer has been sacked.

Cabinet Office minister Francis Maude told Parliament that a junior administrator has been identified as being behind posts made in 2012 and has been fired for gross misconduct.

A 24-year-old thought to have been born in London, but based in Liverpool, is understood to have changed the phrase "You'll never walk alone", the anthem of Liverpool FC, to read: "You'll never walk again."

An investigation into who made other changes, including some that are thought to have been made from computers used by Whitehall departments, is being dropped, Mr Maude said.

It is understood that those responsible for the changes made using a secure intranet cannot be traced because of "technical obstacles" and a lack of leads.

In one instance, the phrase "Blame Liverpool fans" was added anonymously to the Hillsborough section of the online encyclopaedia.

Ninety-six died and more than 700 were injured on April 15, 1989, when fans were crushed at an FA Cup semi-final between Liverpool FC and Nottingham Forest.

At the time the Cabinet Office became aware the changes had been made from government computers, a spokesman said: "The amendments made to Wikipedia are sickening.

"When the issue was brought to our attention by the Liverpool Echo we launched immediate enquiries.

"Once we have the facts, we will update Parliament with the findings and consider further appropriate action.

"At this time, we have no reason to suspect that the Hillsborough edits involve any particular department, nor more than one or two individuals in 2009 and 2012."

The civil servant who made the change in 2012 was identified by an investigation carried out by an online forum about Wikipedia called Wikipediocracy and the Daily Telegraph.

The Telegraph said he was pinpointed by cross-referencing his social media and work history.

The Hillsborough Family Support Group said it had been in discussion about whether to name him and had decided not to.

Chair Margaret Aspinall said: "All the families agreed that his name should be withheld.

"He has been sacked, and we all took the decision not to name him because social media can be very unpleasant.

"The most important thing is that this has been dealt with and it has not been covered up. He has been punished."

Mr Maude said it was "long-standing established practice that in such cases an individual's name will not be made public".

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Toddler Dies After 'Being Run Over By Dad'

A 15-month-old girl has been killed after being struck by a car apparently driven by her own father.

The toddler was taken to Leeds General Infirmary by paramedics on Saturday night but was pronounced dead a short time later.

More follows...

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Forced Marriage Becomes Criminal Act In UK

A new law criminalising forced marriages which comes into effect today could protect thousands of potential victims.

Forcing someone into marriage in England and Wales will carry a maximum seven-year jail sentence under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014.

The change also criminalises forcing a British national into marriage outside the UK.

Home Secretary Theresa May said: "Forced marriage is a tragedy for each and every victim, and its very nature means that many cases go unreported.

"I am proud to say that the UK is already a world-leader in the fight to stamp out this harmful practice with the Government's Forced Marriage Unit (FMU) working hard to tackle this terrible practice in the UK and overseas."

Mrs May has joined anti-child marriage charity Freedom, police, the Crown Prosecution Service and a victim of forced marriage in a Freedom2Choose campaign video.

A forced marriage is where one or both spouses do not consent and are coerced into it through physical, psychological, financial, sexual or emotional pressure.

The Home Office has said the FMU gave advice or support in a possible forced marriage to more than 1,300 people in 2013.

Freedom founder Aneeta Prem said: "In the most tragic cases, people forced into marriage become domestic slaves by day and sexual slaves by night.

"Today's announcement sends out a powerful message that this indefensible abuse of human rights will not be tolerated."

Last week, the NSPCC said children as young as 12 were calling ChildLine about forced marriage, with numbers up two-thirds in the last year.

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McCanns Arrive At Court For Libel Trial

The parents of missing Madeleine McCann have arrived at court in Lisbon to speak at the trial of a former police chief, who they are suing for libel over claims he made in a book.

Kate and Gerry McCann are expected to deliver emotional statements in the trial of Goncalo Amaral.

They were originally told they could not make statements to the trial, but the decision was overturned at appeal.

Their appearance will mark the end of the trial against Mr Amaral, but a final ruling is not expected until later in the year.

The McCanns claim Mr Amaral's 2008 book The Truth Of The Lie included allegations they had hidden Madeleine's body after she died in an accident and faked an abduction which damaged the search for the missing girl and added to their anguish.

Scotland Yard officers carried out searches around Praia da Luz last week

Madeleine disappeared from her parent's holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007, as Kate and Gerry dined at a nearby restaurant with friends.

In October, Mr McCann's sister Trish Cameron told the libel trial the couple's pain was "multiplied 100 times" by the book.

If the court rules against Mr Amaral, the McCanns could receive around £1m in damages.

Last week, they said the failure of police officers to find evidence relating to their missing daughter during recent searches in Praia da Luz "reinforced" their belief that she could still be alive.

They said: "As parents of a missing child, we have always wanted all reasonable lines of inquiry to be followed and it is gratifying to know that a substantial amount of work will take place over the coming months with the close co-operation of the British and Portuguese authorities.

"We would like to thank all those involved for their efforts and the members of the public who have come forward with information."

Scotland Yard officers, working alongside Portuguese police, carried out searches in areas around the Algarve resort town.

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Boy, 7, Dies After Ballycastle Cliff Fall

A seven-year-old boy has died after falling from cliffs at a caravan park at Ballycastle, Co Antrim.

The boy was taken to hospital by Royal Navy helicopter after he was found following an extensive search by rescue services on Sunday evening.

Police were alerted after the boy went missing from the Silver Cliffs caravan park.

Belfast Coastguard said: "We coordinated the search for a child who was missing near cliffs close to the Silvercliff Caravan Park at Ballycastle.

"The Ballycastle and Coleraine Coastguard Rescue Teams, a police helicopter, the Royal Navy rescue helicopter from Prestwick and the Portrush and Red Bay RNLI lifeboats all searched for the missing child.

"The child was found at the base of the cliffs and was taken by the Royal Navy helicopter to Coleraine Hospital."

A police spokesman said: "Shortly before 7.15pm, it was reported that the boy fell from a cliff into the sea.

"Northern Ireland Coastguard recovered the boy from the sea and he was airlifted to a nearby hospital, but later died as a result of his injuries.

"Inquiries are continuing."

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Armed Robber On The Run Is 'Threat To Public'

Police have warned the public to stay away from a convict who is the latest to go on the run from an open prison.

Officers said that David Blood, who is serving a life sentence for robbery, may pose "a threat to the public".

The 48-year-old absconded from Ford Prison in West Sussex, some time between 8.30am and 1pm on Thursday.

It is thought to be the second time he has escaped from an open prison. It is understood he went missing from HMP Sudbury in Derbyshire in April 2012.

On that occasion, he was not found until almost three months later.

Blood was jailed for life at Stafford Crown Court in 2003 after he was convicted of robbing a post office in Sutton Coldfield in the West Midlands with a number of other men in December 2000.

PC Stephen Reed said: "Because of Blood's record, we have to consider that he could pose a threat to the public.

Simon Rhodes-Butler handed himself in at Sutton police station

"I would urge anyone that sees him to contact us on 999 rather than approaching him."

Police have described Blood as 6ft 1in tall (1.85m), of small build with brown eyes and cropped black hair. He is known to have links in Staffordshire and Warwickshire.

Blood's escape is the latest in a spate of inmates absconding from open prisons.

The most high-profile offender to go missing was the violent armed robber Michael Wheatley - known as Skullcracker.

Wheatly carried out a raid on a building society while on the run after being let out of the Standford Hill prison in Kent last month.

He was later jailed for life.

The latest escape came as another convicted robber who had failed to return to Ford on May 22 handed himself into police.

Simon Rhodes-Butler - who robbed a garage owner of his watch in March 2011 - has been charged with escaping lawful custody.

A Ministry of Justice spokesman said: "The Justice Secretary has been clear that keeping the public safe is our priority and has already ordered major changes to tighten up temporary release processes and open prison eligibility.

"Absconds have reached record lows under this Government - down 80% over the last 10 years - but each and every incident is taken seriously, with the police contacted as a matter of urgency.

"Open prisons and temporary licence are an important tool in rehabilitating long term offenders but not at the expense of public safety."

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