Resignation call over bug deaths

Seven people died after being exposed to the bacteria

The chief executive of a Lakeland council is facing calls to step down over an outbreak of Legionnaires' disease which killed seven people.

It was traced to an air conditioning unit at a council-run arts centre in Barrow-in-Furness in August 2002.

Barrow Borough Council and its design manager Gillian Beckingham were fined for mistakes which led to the deaths.

Relatives of those who died have said council chief Tom Campbell should admit overall responsibility and step down.

The air conditioning unit had been spraying bacteria-infected steam into an alleyway behind the Forum 28 arts complex, health experts discovered.

In addition to those who died, 200 people were taken ill.

In July, Beckingham, 48, was found guilty of one charge of breaching the Health and Safety at Work Act and fined £15,000.

Barrow Borough Council had pleaded guilty to breaching the act at an earlier trial and was fined £125,000.

The chief executive admitted failings during the court case and as head of the council I hold him personally responsible Bill Merewood

Bill Merewood, whose wife Christine died as a result of the outbreak, is one of those circulating a petition calling for Mr Campbell to step down.

He said: "At the recent court case the judge was very damning of the council and we're all very surprised that the chief executive hasn't been ousted or resigned.

"There were seven deaths and many people are still poorly. The chief executive admitted failings during the court case and as head of the council I hold him personally responsible."

The petition will ultimately be presented to the council, according to Mr Merewood.

A spokesman for Barrow Borough Council refused to comment on the calls for Mr Campbell's resignation.

Those were died were Richard Macauley, 88; Wendy Milburn, 56; Georgina Somerville, 54; Harriet Low, 74; Christine Merewood, 55; Elizabeth Dixon, 80; and June Miles 56.