Campaigner ends bid for factory probe

Published on Tuesday 13 March 2007 11:48

A RETIRED factory worker who campaigned for a public inquiry into the exposure of employees to asbestos has given up his fight.

Alex Horne, who worked at the former Golden Wonder factory in Broxburn, West Lothian, said he was halting the campaign on the 20th anniversary of his mother's death from lung cancer.

Mr Horne believes Golden Wonder employees, including his mother, who were working in and around the plant's boilerhouse where there was an industrial incident more than 20 years ago, may have been exposed to asbestos.

He said: "My fight was for my mum and for everyone in the factory and the anniversary of her death is a fitting time to draw it to an end."

Mr Horne, from Armadale, was backed by his MP Michael Connarty, but the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has rejected his claims.

A HSE spokesman said it had taken formal enforcement action against the contractors at the factory at the time.

He said: "HSE's view remains that, given the period of time that has elapsed, and the lack of evidence, it would not be possible to take any further legal action now."