Latest news with #Medhurst
BBC News
19-04-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Guernsey man's cancer diagnosis halts seven-month travel plans
"The stereotype is like spot-on, the room goes quiet, you kind of just go into a bit of a blank space."A man from Guernsey has described the moment he was diagnosed with cancer forcing him to cancel his travel plans to Medhurst, 22, had booked to go on the seven-month trip with a group of friends in November said he went for a number of tests prior to the trip to ensure he was "fit and healthy", but a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis meant he needed 16 rounds of chemotherapy. 'Bit of a shock' Mr Medhurst said it all started after he went for a vaccination the day before he was due to set off on his travels."The lady at the counter, once I paid for it, said 'Oh on the system I can see the doctor is wanting to have a meeting with you about your bloods'," he said he was sent for a scan and received a Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis on 8 November, adding he went "into a blank space". "The first thing they said to me was 'I'm sorry but you won't be going away'," he said."It was a bit of a shock. 'Very lucky' "Just before Christmas I went for a PET I got the results on that I had progressed to stage three."He began chemotherapy on 8 January until 19 March and said he felt "very lucky"."I'm 22, young, healthy and have been able to deal with the treatment quite well," he said."I couldn't go travelling, well in the grand scheme of things, that isn't necessarily that big, is it?"I consider myself quite lucky in that sense." 'Still in recovery' Mr Medhurst said he planned to travel in future."I'm not allowed to go for a quite a while, I'm still in recovery," he added."It's something I'll have to put on the back burner until maybe like next year."I kind of realise that [travelling] is always going to be there, I'm always going to be able to go."But at the moment just focussing on health, focussing on my relationships with friends and family, that is what is important to me right now."The 22-year old documented his experience on his podcast The Meddy Diaries.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Scottish Prison Service ‘should not be immune from prosecution', says its boss
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) should not be immune from prosecution, its chief executive has admitted. Teresa Medhurst said Crown immunity for the SPS should be abolished during a meeting with the families of two young people who died in Polmont Young Offenders Institution. Katie Allan, 21, and William Lindsay, 16, died within months of each other at the facility in 2018. Their families met Ms Medhurst and her deputy on Wednesday. Aamer Anwar, the lawyer representing the families, said that during the 'robust and painful meeting', Ms Medhurst accepted Crown immunity for the prison service should end, so that it can face prosecution. Katie's mother, Linda Allan, said the meeting was the first time the families had not felt 'demonised' by the prison service. Ms Allan, a student at the University of Glasgow, was found dead on June 4 while serving a 16-month sentence for drink-driving and causing serious injury. William – also known as William Brown – who had made repeated attempts on his life in 2017, which were detailed in reports provided on his admission, was found dead in his cell on Oct 7, three days after he was remanded because of a lack of space in a children's unit. A fatal accident inquiry into their deaths was held last year at Falkirk Sheriff Court and 25 recommendations were made by Simon Collins, the sheriff. The Scottish Government and SPS have accepted the findings and recommendations. Mr Anwar said it was 'important' that Ms Medhurst had agreed Crown immunity for the prison service should be 'abolished'. 'When you have a situation where the SPS agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, when the Scottish Government and every opposition party in the Scottish Parliament agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, the question really is now for the UK Government to deliver on that,' he said. Mr Anwar added: 'The next stage for the families, and for a number of other families we act for, is for a meeting with Keir Starmer and the justice minister, because they carry the power to do this. 'There is clearly unity right across Scotland, from all the institutions as well as the family, to remove Crown immunity. It's unacceptable.' Linda Allan described the meeting as the 'beginning of a dialogue' with the SPS, which she said was a 'complete reversal' of what the families had experienced over the past seven years. She thanked Ms Medhurst and Linda Pollock, the deputy chief executive, for what she said was a 'very positive, honest and robust response today, and their honesty and their obvious willingness to see change'. She added: 'For the first time we didn't feel demonised by the prison service, but we felt listened to, and we found that very restorative.' Speaking after the meeting, Ms Medhurst said: 'This was just an opportunity to meet personally with the families, to offer our apologies for their loss, the tragic loss of Katie and William, and to apologise for the failures of the past. 'And to ensure that they understand we are committed and determined to not only action the recommendations that we have accepted in full, but to ensure that there is systemic change across the organisation, which will be impactful and lasting.' The meeting comes days after the families met Angela Constance, the justice secretary, at Holyrood, ahead of a statement to Parliament in which she pledged 'lasting change'. Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month with unlimited access to our award-winning website, exclusive app, money-saving offers and more.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Prison service boss says it should lose prosecution immunity
The head of Scotland's jails has told the families of two young people who took their own lives in prison that she believes crown immunity should be abolished. Theresa Medhurst said the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) should face the possibility of criminal prosecution over deaths in custody. Ms Medhurst made the comment during a meeting with the families of Katie Allan and William Brown, also known as William Lindsay, who both died by suicide at Polmont Young Offender's Institution in 2018. Under the law, the Crown, which includes the Scottish Prison Service, cannot be held criminally responsible for deaths in custody. The Scottish government said it has pursued a change in the law, but that it would require UK government approval. Last year a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the deaths of Katie Allan, 21, and William Brown, 16, made 25 recommendations, which were accepted by the SPS and Scottish government. The families' lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said the meeting on Wednesday with Ms Medhurst had been "robust and painful". Safety action plan accepted after suicides at Polmont Catalogue of failures led to young prisoner deaths However, he said it was important Ms Medhurst had agreed crown immunity for the prison service should be "abolished". In 2022, the Crown Office found a breach of the Health and Safety Act at the jail "materially contributed" to the deaths, but it was unable to act as the SPS was protected by the Crown immunity principle. Mr Anwar said the families would seek a meeting with prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to further push for a change in the law. He said: "When you have a situation where the SPS agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, when the Scottish government and every opposition party in the Scottish Parliament agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, the question really is now for the UK government to deliver on that. He added: "The next stage for the families, and for a number of other families we act for, is for a meeting with Keir Starmer and the justice minister, because they carry the power to do this. "There is clearly unity right across Scotland, from all the institutions as well as the family, to remove Crown immunity. It's unacceptable." Crown immunity is a legal principle which states that legislation does not normally apply to the state. Effectively, it means the state, including government and official bodies, such as the prison service, and sometimes its employees or agents, can be protected from being charged with criminal offences created by statute. For example, if a person dies while in custody at a jail, the Crown could not be held criminally responsible for their death. It does not shield them from civil liability, such as the case brought by the family of Allan Marshall, who died after being restrained by up to 17 prison officers at HMP Edinburgh in 2010. In Scotland, Crown immunity may not always protect prison officers or officials – for example if they are caught using, possessing or giving a "personal communication device," such as a mobile phone, to a prisoner. A provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act also states, regardless of whether Crown Immunity applies, an individual can be prosecuted if they cause a breach. Campaigners have long challenged the law, arguing that the public and private sectors do not operate on a level playing field. Ms Allan's mother, Linda, said the meeting was "very positive," adding it was the "beginning of a dialogue" with the SPS. She said: "For the first time we didn't feel demonised by the prison service, but we felt listened to, and we found that very restorative." Speaking after the meeting, Ms Medhurst said: "This was just an opportunity to meet personally with the families, to offer our apologies for their loss, the tragic loss of Katie and William, and to apologise for the failures of the past. "And to ensure that they understand we are committed and determined to not only action the recommendations that we have accepted in full, but to ensure that there is systemic change across the organisation, which will be impactful and lasting." The families met the Scottish government's justice secretary, Angela Constance, at Holyrood ahead of a statement to parliament last week. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: "The Lord Chancellor has received the letter from the Scottish cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs and will respond in due course." A Scottish government spokesperson added: "The Scottish government will continue to pursue the lifting of the SPS corporate Crown immunity under reserved health and safety law with the UK government. "All of the recommendations in his determination of the FAI into the deaths at Polmont YOI of Katie and William have been accepted and the work on these is being delivered at pace with progress closely monitored."
Telegraph
02-04-2025
- Politics
- Telegraph
Scottish Prison Service ‘should not be immune from prosecution', says its boss
The Scottish Prison Service (SPS) should not be immune from prosecution, its chief executive has admitted. Teresa Medhurst said Crown immunity for the SPS should be abolished during a meeting with the families of two young people who died in Polmont Young Offenders Institution. Katie Allan, 21, and William Lindsay, 16, died within months of each other at the facility in 2018. Their families met Ms Medhurst and her deputy on Wednesday. Aamer Anwar, the lawyer representing the families, said that during the 'robust and painful meeting', Ms Medhurst accepted Crown immunity for the prison service should end, so that it can face prosecution. Katie's mother, Linda Allan, said the meeting was the first time the families had not felt 'demonised' by the prison service. Ms Allan, a student at the University of Glasgow, was found dead on June 4 while serving a 16-month sentence for drink-driving and causing serious injury. William – also known as William Brown – who had made repeated attempts on his life in 2017, which were detailed in reports provided on his admission, was found dead in his cell on Oct 7, three days after he was remanded because of a lack of space in a children's unit. A fatal accident inquiry into their deaths was held last year at Falkirk Sheriff Court and 25 recommendations were made by Simon Collins, the sheriff. The Scottish Government and SPS have accepted the findings and recommendations. Mr Anwar said it was 'important' that Ms Medhurst had agreed Crown immunity for the prison service should be 'abolished'. 'When you have a situation where the SPS agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, when the Scottish Government and every opposition party in the Scottish Parliament agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, the question really is now for the UK Government to deliver on that,' he said. Mr Anwar added: 'The next stage for the families, and for a number of other families we act for, is for a meeting with Keir Starmer and the justice minister, because they carry the power to do this. 'There is clearly unity right across Scotland, from all the institutions as well as the family, to remove Crown immunity. It's unacceptable.' Linda Allan described the meeting as the 'beginning of a dialogue' with the SPS, which she said was a 'complete reversal' of what the families had experienced over the past seven years. She thanked Ms Medhurst and Linda Pollock, the deputy chief executive, for what she said was a 'very positive, honest and robust response today, and their honesty and their obvious willingness to see change'. 'Failures of the past' She added: 'For the first time we didn't feel demonised by the prison service, but we felt listened to, and we found that very restorative.' Speaking after the meeting, Ms Medhurst said: 'This was just an opportunity to meet personally with the families, to offer our apologies for their loss, the tragic loss of Katie and William, and to apologise for the failures of the past. 'And to ensure that they understand we are committed and determined to not only action the recommendations that we have accepted in full, but to ensure that there is systemic change across the organisation, which will be impactful and lasting.' The meeting comes days after the families met Angela Constance, the justice secretary, at Holyrood, ahead of a statement to Parliament in which she pledged 'lasting change'.
BBC News
02-04-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Prison service boss says it should lose immunity from prosecution
The head of Scotland's jails has told the families of two young people who took their own lives in prison that she believes crown immunity should be Medhurst said the Scottish Prison Service (SPS) should face the possibility of criminal prosecution over deaths in Medhurst made the comment during a meeting with the families of Katie Allan and William Brown, also known as William Lindsay, who both died by suicide at Polmont Young Offender's Institution in the law, the Crown, which includes the Scottish Prison Service, cannot be held criminally responsible for deaths in custody. The Scottish government said it has pursued a change in the law, but that it would require UK government year a fatal accident inquiry (FAI) into the deaths of Katie Allan, 21, and William Brown, 16, made 25 recommendations, which were accepted by the SPS and Scottish families' lawyer, Aamer Anwar, said the meeting on Wednesday with Ms Medhurst had been "robust and painful". However, he said it was important Ms Medhurst had agreed crown immunity for the prison service should be "abolished".In 2022, the Crown Office found a breach of the Health and Safety Act at the jail "materially contributed" to the deaths, but it was unable to act as the SPS was protected by the Crown immunity Anwar said the families would seek a meeting with prime minister Sir Keir Starmer to further push for a change in the said: "When you have a situation where the SPS agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, when the Scottish government and every opposition party in the Scottish Parliament agrees with the lifting of Crown immunity, the question really is now for the UK government to deliver on added: "The next stage for the families, and for a number of other families we act for, is for a meeting with Keir Starmer and the justice minister, because they carry the power to do this."There is clearly unity right across Scotland, from all the institutions as well as the family, to remove Crown immunity. It's unacceptable." What is Crown immunity? Crown immunity is a legal principle which states that legislation does not normally apply to the it means the state, including government and official bodies, such as the prison service, and sometimes its employees or agents, can be protected from being charged with criminal offences created by example, if a person dies while in custody at a jail, the Crown could not be held criminally responsible for their does not shield them from civil liability, such as the case brought by the family of Allan Marshall, who died after being restrained by up to 17 prison officers at HMP Edinburgh in Scotland, Crown immunity may not always protect prison officers or officials – for example if they are caught using, possessing or giving a "personal communication device," such as a mobile phone, to a prisoner.A provision of the Health and Safety at Work Act also states, regardless of whether Crown Immunity applies, an individual can be prosecuted if they cause a have long challenged the law, arguing that the public and private sectors do not operate on a level playing field. 'We didn't feel demonised' Ms Allan's mother, Linda, said the meeting was "very positive," adding it was the "beginning of a dialogue" with the said: "For the first time we didn't feel demonised by the prison service, but we felt listened to, and we found that very restorative."Speaking after the meeting, Ms Medhurst said: "This was just an opportunity to meet personally with the families, to offer our apologies for their loss, the tragic loss of Katie and William, and to apologise for the failures of the past."And to ensure that they understand we are committed and determined to not only action the recommendations that we have accepted in full, but to ensure that there is systemic change across the organisation, which will be impactful and lasting."The families met the Scottish government's justice secretary, Angela Constance, at Holyrood ahead of a statement to parliament last week. A spokesperson for the Ministry of Justice said: "The Lord Chancellor has received the letter from the Scottish cabinet secretary for justice and home affairs and will respond in due course."A Scottish government spokesperson added: "The Scottish government will continue to pursue the lifting of the SPS corporate Crown immunity under reserved health and safety law with the UK government."All of the recommendations in his determination of the FAI into the deaths at Polmont YOI of Katie and William have been accepted and the work on these is being delivered at pace with progress closely monitored."
