DONAL MACINTYRE BEGINS LEGAL PROCEEDINGS AGAINST KENT POLICE

BBC investigative journalist, Donal MacIntyre has begun legal proceedings against Kent police regarding 'defamatory comments' about his investigation into abuse and neglect at the Brompton Care Home in Gillingham.

Last year the BBC received over 11,000 phone calls after screening the MacIntyre Undercover Reports. Viewers were outraged at the way some of our most vulnerable people were treated in the receipt of 'care'. The Kent Police now claim that exaggeration and careful editing gave viewers a false impression and that the programme caused the home to be needlessly closed

Medway Social Services has since conducted an extensive inquiry of their own and confirmed the closure of the home permanently. Indeed Medway have had concerns about the home going back many years. We find it somewhat contradictory that although two members of staff were cautioned for five assaults on five different residents, the police say they are "angry over what they consider irresponsible programming". In response they are seeking legal advice to see if, in an unprecedented legal move, they could recover all or part of the cost of their investigation. Are we now to believe that when people in our care homes are victims of assault it is not worthy of the cost of a police investigation?

Donal MacIntyre has highlighted the failures in our care system, spoken out for people who cannot speak for themselves and exposed the inadequate, second class care that is suffered by societies most vulnerable people. Surely he must be applauded for this, instead he has had his integrity questioned and lively hood threatened by the actions of the Kent Police. The fact that someone of Donal's professional standing, who has the full backing of the British Broadcasting Corporation, faces this kind of response for challenging the system on what he believes to be abuse and neglect raises another important serious issue. How does a vulnerable person who is maybe elderly or learning disabled and has no truly independent advocate to act for them, or the ordinary member of the public who stands alone, speak out? Would they be able to challenge an authority, without fear of repercussion, when that same authority may be responsible for the very care they are concerned about. Most people are only too aware that they could encounter financial and legal penalties if they do dare to speak out and are concerned and fear the consequences. Until such time that the veil of secrecy that surrounds the neglect and abuse that occurs within the care system it lifted and there is truly independent advocacy, intimidation regarding voicing concerns or complaints remains.

People must be able to speak out, secure in the knowledge that their concerns will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon, without fear of prejudice or a back log of repercussions. Until then the very people who need our protection most will continue to suffer.

We were very privileged to have Donal MacIntyre launch the Malcolm Rowley Trust website. The trust is in honour of, and dedicated to the memory of Malcolm, who died needlessly whilst in the care of Salford Social Services. The Trust aims to support families and carers who have concerns and complaints with the care system by providing them with information and a truly independent advocacy service.

The committee of the MALCOLM ROWLEY TRUST

When Donal MacIntryre launched the MALCOLM ROWLEY TRUST website people asked me "How did you manage to get Donal MacIntyre"? Well it was easy, I just phoned and asked him and he agreed without hesitation. There was nothing in it for Donal, no payment, no publicity and no personal gain. There can be no accusation of 'fabrication or careful editing' in Malcolm's death and as a mother whose son suffered neglect and consequently died whilst in the care of the local authority I fully support Donal MacIntyre in the excellent work he has done, and continues to do, to expose the discrimination, abuse and neglect that occurs in our care system.

All we have left of Malcolm is his name and it has always been important to me that the name MALCOLM ROWLEY be remembered with credibility and respect. I believe Donal MacIntyre's integrity and passion in his dedication to improve the lives of disabled people is beyond question. I am very grateful to Donal for the support he has given me and I am very proud to have the name MALCOLM ROWLEY associated with that of Donal MacIntyre.

Brenda Rowley