Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A council found negligent in its clean-up of former steel works which may have led to birth defects is to appeal against a High Court ruling.
The families of 16 children won a legal battle against Corby Borough Council in Northamptonshire last month. The families argued that the birth defects were due to mothers being exposed to toxic materials at the former British Steel plant in the town.
After a full council meeting at Corby's Best Western Hotel, councillors voted to appeal against the High Court judgment.
They agreed to adopt a "twin-track" approach to dealing with the ruling, in which the council will start mediation with the claimants and families involved in the case.
Corby council's chief executive, Chris Mallender, said the cost of appealing would run into six figures, but he said it would be worth it as the council could recover some costs if it wins the appeal. He said: "It's a two-way situation. By paying these legal costs, we might recover the monies already spent and we might end up far better off." But he stressed that the council would begin mediation with the families whilst the appeal process was proceeding, and that the council hoped to reach a conclusion with regard to individual cases "as soon as possible".
Sarah Pearson, one of the family members at the meeting, criticised the decision.
She said the council's decision to appeal against the High Court ruling was "not fair" for the children. She said: "We are very, very angry now. We just want to take it further. We will just keep fighting and fighting."
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments