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Corby toxic case: Public tell council to pay the victims
Nearly three-quarters of Corby residents who took part in a poll think their council should pay compensation to victorious families in the toxic waste case.
The survey of 100 Corby residents conducted by the Evening Telegraph yesterday found 73 people agreed that the council should pay up and 27 said no.
It comes after Wednesday's ruling at the High Court that found Corby Council was negligent in its management of toxic waste between 1985 and 1997.
The authority said it still didn't accept responsibility for the 16 children's deformities and refused to apologise in a press conference.
It is thought an extraordinary meeting of the full council is being scheduled for August 18 to decide whether the council should appeal against the decision.
Opposition politicians in the town have been reacting to the landmark judgement.
Leader of the council's Conservative group David Sims said: "I fully sympathise with the children who have got the deformities and the families that have been affected.
"I've received a copy of the judgement which is quite big and I'm going through it.
"I've asked for a meeting with the council's barristers which I'm hoping to secure for next week.
"If these children's deformities have been caused by what has happened in the past, the council should recognise that and take responsibility for what has happened.
"But we've got to establish first if that's the case."
Conservative Parliamentary candidate Louise Bagshawe attacked Corby Council's official response to the ruling.
She said: "The severity of the judgement that has come down on Corby Council from the High Court is very disturbing.
"It is truly appalling to think of Corby people being endangered in this way.
"I have to say I was surprised and disappointed at the reaction of Corby Council and its spokesman to this ruling.
"Saying that the council will apologise only if direct causation for the deformities is proved is callous, and misses the point.
"The judge has already decided that severe negligence was present.
"That alone demands a full and abject apology."
The Evening Telegraph was unable to contact Corby and East Northamptonshire MP Phil Hope about the verdict.
During the poll many people expressed concern about a possible rise in council tax to pay compensation to the families., which the council has already ruled out.
Others said the number of children affected is minimal.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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