BSE report set to clear Tories

28 September 2000



BSE report ‘set to clear Tories’

FORMER Conservative ministers and civil servants are set to be cleared of serious negligence over the BSE crisis, claims The Times.

The newspaper says ministers have been told by Lord Phillips – who is chairing the inquiry – that he found no evidence of malevolence in government errors and delays.

Instead, The Times says that the blame for the crisis will be attributed to “institutional failures”.

However, it adds that disciplinary action cannot be ruled out.

A key issue of the report is said to be lack of enforcement of new controls on abattoirs to ensure potential BSE-infected beef was removed from the food chain.

Ministers will receive Lord Philips final report next week.

• The Times 28/09/2000 page 12