University admits secretly keeping human tissue

A leading university in Northern Ireland has been keeping human tissue without informing the relatives of those involved, it emerged today.

The admission by Queen’s University in Belfast that it retained samples for research purposes has left family members shocked and angry.

Relatives of six-year-old Colin Bingham, killed by car thieves in 1991, were informed six samples of his brain had been kept.

The devastating news came a year after they were assured all Colin’s organs kept by the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast following the post mortem - were returned to them

His aunt, Kate Moore, insisted no permission had been asked.

‘‘We had no idea even last year when we buried the other parts that they had anything,’’ she said.

‘‘We should have been told, the Royal knew Queen’s had these.’’

The samples are believed to have been discovered during an audit report.

The university said the material had been used for research purposes and to help with diagnosis.

A Human Organs Inquiry was set up last year to investigate the practice following revelations that organs had been held in Northern Ireland.

Queen’s has stressed that it has informed the inquiry and was looking forward to its report helping to restore public confidence.

The university also pointed out it had acted in good faith at all times.

But Ms Moore said her family feared there was further heartache in store.

‘‘Colin’s brain and spinal cord was never returned to the family,’’ she told BBC Radio Ulster.

‘‘We are still convinced that his brain and spinal cord is in the Royal.’’