Special report: A scandal 'bigger than Thalidomide'

Special report: A scandal 'bigger than Thalidomide'

It has now been more than a year since plans for a compensation scheme were laid out for those affected by the sodium valproate scandal - and it is a state failure that stretches back decades.

Sodium valproate is an effective treatment for epilepsy, but it has been linked to lifelong disabilities in around 20,000 babies born since the 1970s whose mothers were prescribed the drug while they were pregnant. Many were not properly warned of the risks, and a 2020 review concluded that thousands of mothers and babies had been exposed to "avoidable harm".

In opposition, Labour said that financial redress for victims was "desperately needed" - so why has nothing happened since the party took office? And how much longer will those families be forced to wait?

In a special report, Lewis talks to the families affected, including one for The News Agents not far from home.

Editor: Tom Hughes

Executive Producer: Louis Degenhardt

Producer: Natalie Indge

Digital Editor: Michaela Walters

Social Media Editor: Georgia Foxwell

Video Production: Rory Symon, Shane Fennelly & Arvind Badewal

Digital Journalist: Michael Baggs

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Episoder(956)

Trump: Prison or President?

Trump: Prison or President?

Donald Trump is being investigated by the FBI over a cache of secret documents he squirrelled away at his private residence in Mar-a-Lago. He says he’s cooperating but last night senior Republican Lindsey Graham warned there will be riots on the streets if Trump is charged. So could Trump really go to jail? And if he’s not convicted, could that relaunch him as America’s most likely next President?On our first episode of The News Agents, we hear from two people who know Donald Trump inside out - his former acting chief of staff, Mick Mulvaney, and his former Director of Communications, Anthony Scaramucci.You can get in touch with us via our social platforms. Just search The News Agents.The News Agents is a Global Player Original and a Persephonica Production.Producers: Gabriel Radus and Melissa TutesigensiSound Engineer: Ioana BarbuDeputy Editor: Tom HughesExecutive Producer: Dino Sofos

30 Aug 202232min

The Emily Maitlis MacTaggart Lecture

The Emily Maitlis MacTaggart Lecture

We’re launching for real on Tuesday 30th, but for now listen to Emily’s keynote lecture at the Edinburgh TV Festival, with some post-match analysis from Emily and Jon. The speech looks at the challenges and solutions for good journalism in the age of populism.Speech Copyright: The Edinburgh International Television Festival

25 Aug 202251min

Introducing...The News Agents

Introducing...The News Agents

A sneak peek of what's to come on The News Agents. See you next Tuesday!

22 Aug 20226min

The News Agents - The Trailer

The News Agents - The Trailer

Welcome to The News Agents - a new daily podcast beginning August 30th hosted by journalists Emily Maitlis, Jon Sopel & Lewis Goodall.

22 Aug 20221min

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