Cough revealed a deadly tumour

1:30pm Tuesday 18th March 2008

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THE partner of a retired labourer is taking legal action against the Government after he died from an asbestos-related disease.

Mary Stoodley, 64, knew something was wrong when her normally active 72-year-old partner couldn't leave his bed one morning at their Southampton home.

Irving St Claire-Matthews, of Rockall Close, Lordshill was taken to Southampton General Hospital with chest pains in December 2007 and died a week later of mesothelioma - a cancer associated with exposure to asbestos.

At an inquest it was explained that he had worked for British Rail for 17 years until being made redundant in 1989. At the time British Rail was run by the Department of Transport.

Pathologist Jeffrey Theaker said: "The whole of the left lung was infiltrated by the tumour. This was a rapid progression of a severe chest disease. It was a particularly rapidly growing tumour."

Ms Stoodley, who is currently undergoing treatment for throat cancer, could not understand why teetotal non-smoking Irving had died so quickly, having been "fit as a fiddle" only days before.

She said: "He had a bit of a cough and it just looked like something troublesome not fatal.

"He asked for a GP prescription to clear it up but a visiting GP sent him to hospital. We were planning to go to his home in Barbados for his 75th birthday.

"I'm taking legal action in the hope that they take some responsibility. There appears to be so many people coming out of the woodwork that have had a problem and companies have a duty of care to their workers.

"We could all do with more money but I just feel robbed of a few more years with him."

The pair first met 14 years ago as neighbours in Studland Close, Millbrook.

She added: "We used to walk to the shops together. Fishing was his great love. He was a kind and caring gentleman. We took care of each other."

Coroner Keith Wiseman recorded a verdict of death by industrial disease.

A spokesman for the Department of Transport said: " Because legal action is beginning, we are not in a position to comment on what the inquest revealed.