MPs accuse Medical Research Council of panic over bird flu

The UK Medical Research Council (MRC) has had to fend off accusations in parliament that it had done too little too late to tackle the threat of a flu pandemic. It came under fire while reporting to the House of Lords select committee on science and technology on 30 November.

Colin Blakemore, the MRC's chief executive, denied suggestions by Phil Willis (Liberal Democrat MP for Harrogate and Knaresborough), the committee chairman, that last month's visit had been a “kneejerk reaction to the media.”

During his evidence to the committee, Professor Blakemore said that planning for the trip had begun a year ago. But Mr Willis insisted, “There …