Insider reveals lax security at bio-lab [UK foot and mouth]

The Sunday Times ^ | The Sunday Times | Jonathan Calvert and Brendan Montague

[LurkedLongEnough]

A WORKER has raised concerns about bio-security at the state-owned research complex where the foot and mouth outbreak is believed to have originated.

Percy Ravate, a contract worker, was struck down with life-threatening Legionnaires’ disease, which he believes he caught while repairing pipework at the Pirbright complex in Surrey.

He said basic health and safety procedures were flouted, he was allowed to roam around laboratories and security measures such as checking visitors were not enforced.

[snip]

The doors to the labs had swipe cards, but to help the workers they were left open. “They used to leave the doors on the catch for us. They could not leave us the swipe card.”

He added: “We were doing work in the rooms above where they do all the testing in the laboratories. They [security guards] would say, ‘What time are you lads leaving? Just leave the doors open and we’ll lock it up afterwards’. We would just stroll out and give our badges back.

“We were allowed to walk everywhere. There was nothing to prevent us going into the different isolation units.”

[Balding_Eagle]

Sounds a lot like our southern border.

[1066AD]

"Pirbright is the home of the government-run Institute for Animal Health, which is responsible for monitoring and preventing the virus. It also houses Merial, a private company that makes foot and mouth vaccine. "

Based on what's been published I'd say the leaks were more likely to have come from IAH but of course UK media & politicians were quick to blame Merial.

[FormerACLUmember]

Precisely who are the Religion of Peace workers at this lab?