Latest news with #SCAI
STV News
5 days ago
- Politics
- STV News
Part-time sheriff dismissed over 'vulgar' comments attacking inquiry chair
A part-time sheriff who accused the chair of the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry of being a 'monster', 'deranged' and 'evil' has been removed from office. John Halley, an author and member of the Faculty of Advocates, was appointed as junior counsel to the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI) in October 2015 but was dismissed in April 2019, and posted a series of social media posts regarding chair of the inquiry, Lady Smith. In 2020, he was investigated for 'misbehaviour' regarding Twitter posts and public statements between May 2019 and December 2019. A probe around 'unfitness for office by reason of misbehaviour', led by Judge Lord Bracadale, found that 'it is inappropriate for a judicial office holder to conduct a campaign against another member of the judiciary in such a confrontational and public way… Such conduct is improper and not consistent with the dignity of judicial office'. Mr Halley brought a case against Lady Smith in an employment tribunal in July 2019, alleging disability discrimination, but withdrew his claim in December, and the proceedings were dismissed that month. In a series of statements in May 2019 he alleged that from September 1 2016 he had to suffer disability discrimination, harassment and victimisation by Lady Smith and accused her of being 'a danger to cancer sufferers at work'; and less than a month later, he branded her a 'serious danger to cancer sufferers'. In December 2019, he repeated the allegations to a broadcaster. However, a ruling issued on Wednesday found Mr Halley had the option to follow a formal grievance process, and was expected to behave with 'dignity' in his role. Procedures around fitness for office were postponed until February 2023, following a judicial review. However in several months in 2023, Mr Halley again posted on Twitter criticising Lady Smith, including calling her 'deranged', a 'monster' and a 'bully', and sharing an excerpt of his book, A Judicial Monstering – Child Sexual Abuse Cover Up and Corruption in Scotland. Mr Halley claimed by raising a case at the employment tribunal he had the right to be protected from allegations of 'misbehaviour' and claimed the communications did not constitute this. However, he was dismissed from his role on the basis that his posts amounted to 'personal attacks' and became 'progressively worse over time'. A report said: 'The fundamental problem for the judicial office holder is that it is not possible to identify anything which might reasonably and properly be categorised as a protected disclosure of information as opposed to mere vulgar abuse and vituperation, repeatedly made in the most unprofessional of terms. 'There is therefore in the present case no risk of confusing any protected disclosure with the terms in which it is advanced.' It added that 'communications were not framed in the way one might expect from a professional judge, conscious of the dignity of the office, exercising appropriate restraint, and aware of the need to preserve public confidence; rather the tone was offensive, vulgar and confrontational. 'The communications certainly amounted to a public attack on the character and integrity of a fellow judge.' It continued: 'The communications referred to the chair of the inquiry as evil, corrupt, a monster, who had manufactured false criminal charges against him to get him arrested, and who was a bully who had treated him viciously, an abuser, a danger to cancer sufferers, evil and deranged, questioning whether she was a normal, compassionate, rational human being, and saying that she was a person who was guilty of the abuse of public funds. 'The tenor of the communications, and the language used, becomes progressively worse over time and it is not unreasonable to categorise it as a campaign of personal abuse addressed to the inquiry chair.' It said the messages 'are seriously lacking in dignity…. not simply rash or intemperate comments showing a one-off lack of judgment. They evidence a sustained lack of judgment over an extended period of time.' The report said Mr Halley had 'brought the office of sheriff into disrepute'. It added: 'We are satisfied that (Mr Halley) is unfit to hold office by reason of misbehaviour.' A statement from the Scottish Government said: 'Given the gravity of the tribunal's findings, the First Minister accepted there are compelling reasons to remove part-time Sheriff Halley and has taken that decision.' The SCAI has been contacted for comment. Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Windtree Therapeutics Announces Istaroxime Cardiogenic Shock SCAI Stage C Phase 2 Study Planned Interim Analysis Results Targeted for July 2025
Istaroxime has previously completed two positive Phase 2 studies in SCAI Stage B cardiogenic shock; the SEISMiC C study in SCAI Stage C cardiogenic shock is another step progressing to the istaroxime cardiogenic shock Phase 3 program WARRINGTON, Pa., May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Windtree Therapeutics, Inc. ('Windtree' or the 'Company') (NasdaqCM: WINT), a biotechnology company focused on becoming a revenue-generating company and advancing early and late-stage innovative therapies for critical conditions and diseases, today announced it is targeting the planned interim analysis results for the istaroxime cardiogenic shock SEISMiC SCAI Stage C Phase 2 study (the 'SEISMiC C Study') for July 2025. The SEISMiC C Study is a global trial including sites in the U.S., Europe and Latin America. It is a placebo-controlled, double-blinded study with istaroxime being added to current standard of care, including inotropes or vasopressors. The effect of istaroxime in addition to these therapies will be assessed for six hours followed by the ability for istaroxime to allow reduction in the other inotropes and vasopressors based on the patient's condition. The primary endpoint of the study is the systolic blood pressure ('SBP') profile over the first six hours of treatment. Other key study measurements include various measures of cardiac function, SBP changes at specified timepoints, the vasopressor-inotrope score, avoidance of progression to SCAI Stage D or E cardiogenic shock and need for mechanical cardiac support, time to treatment failure, arrhythmia assessments, days alive and out of the hospital through day 30, physiologic measures (e.g., cardiac index) and length of stay in the intensive care unit and hospital. 'The interim data from the SEISMiC C Study are very important as we continue to evaluate the profile of istaroxime in more seriously ill patients with cardiogenic shock due to heart failure. The data from the first 20 patients will provide an initial assessment of the ability of istaroxime to show the same kind of physiological impact on top of standard of care to what has been seen in the previous studies in SCAI Stage B cardiogenic shock, as well as the emerging safety profile in this population,' said Dr. Steve Simonson, Chief Medical Officer and Senior Vice President of Windtree Therapeutics. 'Completion of the SEISMiC C Study is an important milestone to move steadily toward Phase 3 with istaroxime in cardiogenic shock.' About IstaroximeIstaroxime is a first-in-class dual-mechanism therapy designed to improve both systolic and diastolic cardiac function. Istaroxime is a positive inotropic agent that increases myocardial contractility through inhibition of Na+/K+- ATPase with a complimentary mechanism that facilitates myocardial relaxation through activation of the SERCA2a calcium pump on the sarcoplasmic reticulum enhancing calcium reuptake from the cytoplasm. Data from multiple Phase 2 studies in patients with early cardiogenic shock or acute decompensated heart failure demonstrate that istaroxime infused intravenously can significantly improve cardiac function and blood pressure without increasing heart rate or the incidence of clinically significant cardiac rhythm disturbances. About Windtree Therapeutics, Therapeutics, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on becoming a revenue-generating company and advancing early and late-stage innovative therapies for critical conditions and diseases. Windtree's portfolio of product candidates includes istaroxime, a Phase 2 candidate with SERCA2a activating properties for acute heart failure and associated cardiogenic shock, preclinical SERCA2a activators for heart failure and preclinical precision aPKCi inhibitors that are being developed for potential in rare and broad oncology applications. Windtree also has a licensing business model with partnership out-licenses currently in place. Forward Looking StatementsThis press release contains statements related to the potential benefits and safety of istaroxime; the clinical development of istaroxime; and our research and development program for treating patients in early cardiogenic shock due to heart failure. Such statements constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The Company may, in some cases, use terms such as 'predicts,' 'believes,' 'potential,' 'proposed,' 'continue,' 'estimates,' 'anticipates,' 'expects,' 'plans,' 'intends,' 'may,' 'could,' 'might,' 'will,' 'should' or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on information available to the Company as of the date of this press release and are subject to numerous important factors, risks and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from the Company's current expectations. Examples of such risks and uncertainties include, among other things: the Company could lose its deposit on the real estate property discussed above; the Company may fail to acquire such real estate property; the Company's ability to acquire revenue generating subsidiaries; the market's reaction to potential acquisitions by the Company; the Company's ability to secure significant additional capital as and when needed; the Company's ability to achieve the intended benefits of the aPKCi asset acquisition with Varian Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.; the Company's risks and uncertainties associated with the success and advancement of the clinical development programs for istaroxime and the Company's other product candidates, including preclinical oncology candidates; the Company's ability to access the debt or equity markets; the Company's ability to manage costs and execute on its operational and budget plans; the results, cost and timing of the Company's clinical development programs, including any delays to such clinical trials relating to enrollment or site initiation; risks related to technology transfers to contract manufacturers and manufacturing development activities; delays encountered by the Company, contract manufacturers or suppliers in manufacturing drug products, drug substances, and other materials on a timely basis and in sufficient amounts; risks relating to rigorous regulatory requirements, including that: (i) the U.S. Food and Drug Administration or other regulatory authorities may not agree with the Company on matters raised during regulatory reviews, may require significant additional activities, or may not accept or may withhold or delay consideration of applications, or may not approve or may limit approval of the Company's product candidates, and (ii) changes in the national or international political and regulatory environment may make it more difficult to gain regulatory approvals and risks related to the Company's efforts to maintain and protect the patents and licenses related to its product candidates; risks that the Company may never realize the value of its intangible assets and have to incur future impairment charges; risks related to the size and growth potential of the markets for the Company's product candidates, and the Company's ability to service those markets; the Company's ability to develop sales and marketing capabilities, whether alone or with potential future collaborators; the rate and degree of market acceptance of the Company's product candidates, if approved; the impacts of political unrest, including as a result of geopolitical tension, including the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China (Taiwan), and the evolving events in the Middle East, and any sanctions, export controls or other restrictive actions that may be imposed by the United States and/or other countries which could have an adverse impact on the Company's operations, including through disruption in supply chain or access to potential international clinical trial sites, and through disruption, instability and volatility in the global markets, which could have an adverse impact on the Company's ability to access the capital markets. These and other risks are described in the Company's periodic reports, including its Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K, filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission and available at Any forward-looking statements that the Company makes in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to update forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this press release. Contact Information:Eric Curtisecurtis@
Telegraph
06-05-2025
- Telegraph
Top private school settles abuse case with former pupil
One of Scotland's top private schools has agreed a six-figure settlement with a man who has claimed he suffered physical and sexual abuse as a pupil in the 1990s. Angus Bell, 44, claimed students were 'set on fire, beaten with cricket bats and strangled' in a 'madhouse' of violence and psychological abuse at Loretto School in Musselburgh, East Lothian. A civil trial, thought to be the first to involve pupil-on-pupil abuse, was set to begin at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on June 12, but the school opted to settle out of court. Pete Richardson, the headteacher of the school, which charges annual fees of up to £16,500, confirmed the matter had been 'resolved' with Mr Bell, but said: 'What has been averred in the court action is not congruent with our understanding of the experience of others at Loretto at that time.' He said 'the whole question of behaviours in Loretto over the years' had been considered in detail by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), which has been running for almost a decade. Mr Richardson added: ' We continue to support the work of SCAI and, where wrongdoing has been recognised in the past, we have made an unreserved apology – we would encourage anyone with an interest in this matter to look at the excellent work done by SCAI. In the Loretto of today, child protection, wellbeing and the happiness of all pupils is our top priority.' Mr Bell, who now lives in Canada, was thought to be the first person to sue the school over allegations of historical abuse when the action was brought in November 2023. He alleged teachers were aware of the violence and sexual abuse perpetrated by older pupils and not only failed to intervene but took steps to cover it up. Mr Bell spent eight years at the school from the age of 10. He said he was whipped with belt buckles, thrown down flights of stairs, locked in trunks and waterboarded in a dirty toilet. He also claimed he witnessed children being set on fire and having their 'genitals mutilated from gang beatings with boots'. He described every day as a 'cross between The Purge and The Running Man'. He called his time at the Loretto School 'eight years in hell'. Mr Bell, who gave evidence to the SCAI on his experiences, said no one from Loretto had apologised for the abuse he suffered. He said: 'The school knew abuse was happening and all too often chose to look the other way. 'The daily abuse I suffered at Loretto, from eight years of unchecked, harrowing peer-on-peer assaults, has been life-changing. 'I entered Loretto as a tiny, defenceless, 10-year-old boy. I endured eight years of abuse, 34 years of post-traumatic stress disorder, four and a half years of legal battle and in the end, that little boy beat the system.' 'Worst accounts of violence' Mr Bell praised the work of David Stock, a former English teacher, who kept evidence of abuse at the school after leaving in 1991. He said dozens of fellow former pupils and staff had reached out to offer their support. Loretto previously acknowledged pupils were abused by a teacher in the 1950s and 60s. Richard Pitts, a partner at legal firm Digby Brown, who led the action, said: 'The treatment depicted at Loretto was horrific – in my years as an abuse solicitor it's among some of the worst accounts of violence and depravity I've ever heard of. 'Angus has been strong, calm and resilient throughout his entire journey and I commend him for what he has been able to do because he has not just secured justice for himself – in all likelihood he has opened the doors to help others get the outcome they deserve too.'
The Independent
06-05-2025
- The Independent
Six-figure damages agreed over boarding school abuse claims
A man who claims he was abused at a private boarding school has reached an out-of-court settlement for a six-figure sum in damages. Angus Bell claimed he suffered in a 'madhouse of violence and psychological abuse' at Loretto School in Musselburgh, East Lothian in the 1990s. A civil trial, thought to be the first in Scotland involving pupil-on-pupil abuse, had been due to take place at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in early June. However, Digby Brown Solicitors, representing Mr Bell, said an out of court settlement for a six-figure sum has now been reached. Loretto School said that, in the school now, child protection, wellbeing and the happiness of all pupils is its 'top priority'. Mr Bell, who is in his 40s and lives in Canada, said the abuse he suffered was 'life-changing' and previously described it as 'a cross between The Purge and The Running Man'. Speaking after the settlement was reached, Mr Bell, who has waived his right to anonymity, said: 'I entered Loretto as a tiny, defenceless, 10-year-old boy. 'I endured eight years of abuse, 34 years of post traumatic stress disorder, four and a half years of legal battle and, in the end, that little boy beat the system.' Loretto was one of a number of boarding schools investigated by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), which found that some children suffered abuse there. Pete Richardson, Head of Loretto School, said: 'We can confirm that the matter has been resolved in terms agreed with Mr Bell. 'Whilst we do not intend to comment on the detail of matters raised by Mr Bell, what has been averred in the court action is not congruent with our understanding of the experience of others at Loretto at that time. 'The whole question of behaviours in Loretto over the years has been considered in detail by SCAI. 'We continue to support the work of SCAI and, where wrongdoing has been recognised in the past, we have made an unreserved apology – we would encourage anyone with an interest in this matter to look at the excellent work done by SCAI. 'In the Loretto of today, child protection, wellbeing and the happiness of all pupils is our top priority.' The SCAI, which aims to raise public awareness of the abuse of children in care, is considering evidence up to December 17 2014, and which is within the living memory of any person who suffered abuse. Richard Pitts, partner at Digby Brown, who led Mr Bell's legal action, said: 'Angus has been strong, calm and resilient throughout his entire journey and I commend him for what he has been able to do because he has not just secured justice for himself – in all likelihood he has opened the doors to help others get the outcome they deserve, too.'
Scotsman
06-05-2025
- Scotsman
Six-figure damages agreed over boarding school abuse claims
Former pupil claims he suffered in 'madhouse of violence and psychological abuse' during the 1990s Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A man who claims he was abused at a private boarding school has reached an out-of-court settlement for a six-figure sum in damages. Angus Bell claimed he suffered in a 'madhouse of violence and psychological abuse' at Loretto School in Musselburgh, East Lothian in the 1990s. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad A civil trial, thought to be the first in Scotland involving pupil-on-pupil abuse, had been due to take place at the Court of Session in Edinburgh in early June. Loretto School in Musselburgh, East Lothian | TSPL However, Digby Brown Solicitors, representing Mr Bell, said an out of court settlement for a six-figure sum has now been reached. Loretto School said that, in the school now, child protection, wellbeing and the happiness of all pupils is its 'top priority'. Mr Bell, who is in his 40s and lives in Canada, said the abuse he suffered was 'life-changing' and previously described it as 'a cross between The Purge and The Running Man'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Speaking after the settlement was reached, Mr Bell, who has waived his right to anonymity, said: 'I entered Loretto as a tiny, defenceless, 10-year-old boy. 'I endured eight years of abuse, 34 years of post traumatic stress disorder, four and a half years of legal battle and, in the end, that little boy beat the system.' Loretto was one of a number of boarding schools investigated by the Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry (SCAI), which found that some children suffered abuse there. Angus Bell has reached an out-of-court settlement for a six-figure sum in damages | Angus Bell/PA Wire Pete Richardson, Head of Loretto School, said: 'We can confirm that the matter has been resolved in terms agreed with Mr Bell. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'Whilst we do not intend to comment on the detail of matters raised by Mr Bell, what has been averred in the court action is not congruent with our understanding of the experience of others at Loretto at that time. 'The whole question of behaviours in Loretto over the years has been considered in detail by SCAI. 'We continue to support the work of SCAI and, where wrongdoing has been recognised in the past, we have made an unreserved apology – we would encourage anyone with an interest in this matter to look at the excellent work done by SCAI. 'In the Loretto of today, child protection, wellbeing and the happiness of all pupils is our top priority.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The SCAI, which aims to raise public awareness of the abuse of children in care, is considering evidence up to December 17 2014, and which is within the living memory of any person who suffered abuse.
