1 February 2012
A summary of recent M.E. related stories in the news. Headlines appearing in the media as dated.
Liddle under fire for 'abhorrent utterings'
Sun columnist Rod Liddle has made 'an incompetent and inaccurate attack on people with M.E.', writes Dr Charles Shepherd of the ME Association; 'Rod Liddle should thank heaven that he does not have debilitating M.E. – classified as a neurological illness by the WHO since 1969', writes H Patten of Somerset and: 'I was totally outraged to read Rod Liddle’s abhorrent utterings', writes Judi Martin of Aberdeenshire in a selection of letters to the Editor commenting on the writer's article headlined ‘Pretend disabled’ really ARE sick’ published on 26 January.
The Sun, p 43
01/02/12
£800,000 damages claim
Human resources manager Joanna MacLennan is seeking £800,000 from her former employer alleging that she became ill because she was overworked. The High Court heard yesterday, 31 January, that Mrs MacLennan, from Sutton, Surrey, was working ‘impossible hours’, including 12-hour days, while recruiting staff for insurance firm Hartford Europe before being diagnosed with CFS in 2006. The 36-year-old has not worked since. The company contests her version of events, saying she sent emails to friends about enjoying her work and was once absent because she was passed over for promotion. The case continues.
Metro, p 5
01/02/12
Bid to overturn defeats
The Government will today seek to overturn seven defeats for its Welfare Reform Bill inflicted by the House of Lords. Ministers will urge MPs to reject peers' amendments to the bill. They will also dismiss Labour calls to scrap a £26,000 benefits cap in favour of variable local limits as "unworkable".
bbc.co.uk, online
01/02/12
‘Call me curvy’
Irish model Louise O’Reilly, who was diagnosed with M.E five years ago, has hit back at critics of her size 14 figure saying ‘curvy’ is a more appropriate term than ‘plus-size’. She has also complained to Facebook after a posting accused her of ‘promoting obesity’.
Irish Daily Mail, p 34&35
01/02/12
Four legged friends
Animal lover Caroline Murphy from Highley, Shopshire, says looking after her four dogs and becoming an ambassador for Crufts Kennel Club has helped her cope with her M.E. that has, in the past, left her housebound.
Shropshire Star, p 11
30/01/12
Joint approach
Integrative medicine combines conventional treatments with complementary medical approaches, hopefully resulting in a more successful outcome, explains Dr Graham Jagger, who has a particular interest in CFS and who started the NHS CFS/M.E. Clinic in south Wiltshire.
Salisbury Life, p 65
01/01/12
Forum for students
Leaving home to go to university can be an exciting and challenging time – and, if the truth be told, a little bit scary, especially if you have a serious medical condition, our Chief Executive Sir Peter Spencer writes in a letter to the Editor promoting our website’s new interactive forum for students.
Ashby Times, p 17
27/01/12
As above
Swadlincote Times, p 17
27/01/12
As above
Cornish Times, p 17
27/01/12
As above
Frome and Somerset Standard, p 11
26/01/12
As above
Andover Advertiser, p17
27/01/12
As above
Coalville Times, p 17
27/01/12
As above
Westminster Chronicle, p 20
27/01/12
As above
Ealing and Acton Gazette, p 14
27/01/12
As above
Skyport Heathrow, p 9
27/01/12
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The information contained within each press summary is provided for your personal information only. It does not necessarily reflect the views of Action for M.E.
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