Corby Dad's Emotional Plea Over Son's Leukaemia Battle

A father's emotional account of his son Fraser's near-fatal leukaemia diagnosis aired on BBC Breakfast, reigniting concerns over the legacy of the former Corby steel works. Andy Hines and his partner Alison Gaffney shared their harrowing experience, with their son diagnosed at 17 months with a rare cancer.

Fraser, now nine, is still at high risk of secondary cancers due to a transplant. The family, alongside others, believes the industrial site's closure and subsequent cleanup may be linked to childhood cancers, echoing past concerns that led to a landmark 2009 High Court ruling on birth defects. However, North Northamptonshire Council, which replaced Corby Borough Council, recently stated that childhood cancer rates in Corby are no higher than elsewhere in England. The council cited robust, independently reviewed analysis for its findings, but has not released the raw data due to data protection rules.

Lawyers representing affected families are calling for a full public inquiry to determine the precise whereabouts and potential health impacts of buried waste from the steelworks. The council has stated its records do not show waste movement beyond Deene Quarry, but is investigating new information suggesting otherwise. Despite this, the council does not yet deem the threshold met for initiating a government-backed public inquiry.