An MP has called on German Chancellor Angela Merkel to help compensate north-east survivors of the Thalidomide scandal.
Sir Robert Smith, who represents West Aberdeenshire and Kincardine, met Stonehaven resident Laura Beeton and her son Owen Thomson at a reception for survivors in Westminster.
At the event, the Liberal Democrat MP signed an open letter to Ms Merkel, calling on the German government to engage with the Thalidomide Trust to find a way to compensate those affected, such as Ms Beeton.
Mr Thomson spoke about his experiences at last week’s event, which was attended by Health Minister Norman Lamb.
First marketed as a sedative, Thalidomide was given to pregnant women to combat morning sickness, but as many as 10,000 babies worldwide were born with deformities as a result.
The criminal trial of the German manufacturer Grunenthal was terminated in 1970, resulting in concealment of evidence from parents in the UK and lower court settlements for effected families.
After the reception, Ms Beeton said: “I would like to thank Sir Robert for writing to the German chancellor, on my behalf, to ask that she acknowledges the role of the German government back in the 70s in preventing adequate compensation for me and my fellow Thalidomide survivors and to ask her to do something about it today.”
“This campaign is vital for me and all thalidomiders and I am grateful to Sir Robert for his ongoing support.”