West has failed in war on AIDS, says Emma

OSCAR-WINNING actress Emma Thompson yesterday accused western governments of “psychotic detachment” in failing to fund the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria in poor countries.

Ms Thompson, who is an ambassador for British charity ActionAid, said the virus was "the greatest threat to human existence in our history". The actress was among a panel of speakers in London for the launch of the charity's fundraising campaign.

She said: "Why in this world do we find money for war when we are faced with the AIDS virus the greatest threat to human existence in our history? Why is it possible for our governments to exhibit what I describe as psychotic detachment? It is extraordinary that all this is going on and we have not done anything."

The Sense and Sensibility star told how she saw first-hand the horrors of the AIDS virus on her trip to Uganda as ActionAid's ambassador last year.

She also urged members of the public to join campaign groups to lend their support to the fight.

Referring to the £1 billion shortfall which the Global Fund faces this year, Ms Thompson said: "It is absolute madness that we have allowed this to continue. What we lack is the political will. If they don't back it up with action then I simply can't believe what the politicians are saying."