News Summary
British MPs are calling for Altrad to make a £10 million donation to mesothelioma research amid concerns over the company’s historical asbestos practices. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health has recommended that government contracts to Altrad be suspended until the donation is made. This pressure follows alarming testimonies regarding Cape Plc, Altrad’s subsidiary, and its handling of asbestos products. The legacy of asbestos exposure continues to impact public health, leading to demands for accountability and a national asbestos removal strategy.
Altrad Under Pressure for £10 Million Mesothelioma Donation
In a significant move, British MPs are urging multinational construction products giant Altrad to make a charitable donation of £10 million towards mesothelioma research. The pressure mounts, with threats to restrict the company’s government contracts until this donation is secured. This recommendation comes from the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Occupational Safety and Health (APPGOSH), following a public hearing held in March 2023.
Public Hearing Revelations
The public hearing featured harrowing testimonies from eleven experts concerning the actions of Cape Plc, a subsidiary of Altrad, which has been embroiled in controversy over its handling of asbestos products. Historical documentation has unveiled that Cape Plc was aware of the potential dangers associated with its Asbestolux product, which could release toxic asbestos fibers when manipulated.
Altrad’s acquisition of Cape Plc in 2017 has brought the company’s past misdeeds under scrutiny, intensifying calls for accountability. The Asbestos Victims Support Group Forum UK has embarked on legal action to unearth long-concealed historical documents that could shed light on Cape’s disingenuous practices.
Cover-Up Accusations
Distinct allegations claim that Cape Plc not only failed to put adequate warning labels on its Asbestolux products but also misled both the public and government about the grave risks posed by asbestos exposure. This alleged cover-up has been described by industry insiders as a serious breach of trust that continues to haunt the families affected by asbestos-related diseases.
Political Response and Moral Imperative
Ian Lavery, chair of APPGOSH, reported that the company’s actions represented a comprehensive cover-up regarding the hazards of asbestos. The APPGOSH report has urged the UK government to support the Cape Must Pay campaign, which advocates for funding crucial mesothelioma and asthma research through the proposed £10 million donation to Asthma + Lung UK.
In light of these developments, MPs have instructed the government to suspend Altrad’s public contracts until the donation is made. This concern is particularly pressing given that Altrad has recently secured multi-million-pound contracts from major entities such as the UK Nuclear Decommissioning Authority, Magnox, and Sellafield.
The Ongoing Risk of Asbestos
Peter Gartside, a former managing director at Cape Plc, has publicly supported the £10 million donation, emphasizing that asbestos remains a pervasive threat even as materials are removed from public buildings. The continued exposure risks, he argues, necessitate urgent action to safeguard current and future generations.
With Altrad boasting a revenue of €5.452 billion for the 2024 financial year, the call for a donation has provoked substantial debate. The company has responded defensively, characterizing the politicians’ recommendation as coercive and labeling it extortion. Altrad contends it has acknowledged Cape’s troubling historical actions and has facilitated compensation for victims, amounting to over £60 million paid to affected families.
Calls for Accountability
As one of the largest historical manufacturers of asbestos products in the UK, Cape’s legacy has left a profound scar on public health. The Asbestolux product, used extensively in construction for items like window panels and fire doors, is now under heavy scrutiny. Asbestos exposure is linked to mesothelioma and numerous other serious health conditions, reinforcing the urgent need for resolution.
The APPGOSH report has also urged the government to establish a national asbestos removal strategy, particularly prioritizing schools and hospitals. Lawmakers argue that without adequate protective measures, future generations remain at great risk.
Personal Accounts Fueling the Fight
Families like that of Hannah Larkin, who tragically lost her father to mesothelioma, amplify the emotional stakes of this debate. Larkin has criticized Cape’s handling of the asbestos issue, calling for immediate financial support for research to mitigate future tragedies.
As the battle for justice continues and the voices of the afflicted ring louder, Altrad finds itself at a crossroads: act to foster healing and accountability or risk further scrutiny and loss of government contracts.
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