Show Notes
Jack Butcher investigates allegations that children in West German welfare institutions were subjected to widespread medical abuse, including medical experiments. During the 1950s, 1960s and 1970s, many children found themselves in West Germany's sprawling network of children's institutions. In recent years, Germany has been shocked by revelations that some were used as guinea pigs for powerful new drugs, including potent anti-psychotics, as doctors worked hand in hand with pharmaceutical companies to observe the effects of new medications on young children. The allegations were first brought to public attention by Sylvia Wagner, a pharmaceutical historian who grew up in a care home, and whose own brother was a victim of medical abuse. Pulling together Sylvia's research, speaking to victims and digging through the documentation, Jack Butcher and reporter Ilona Toller, who led a major investigation of the scandal for German national radio, lay bare the horrendous human cost and tell the story of the tenacious activists who have challenged the conscience of their nation. Producer and Presenter: Jack Butcher With reporting from Ilona Toller and Anouk Millet, and additional research by Leonie Mombaur. Executive Producer: Robert Nicholson Sound Design: Phoebe McIndoe Mix: Arlie Adlington A Whistledown production for BBC Radio 4
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The Government’s anti-corruption champion Dame Margaret Hodge has accused one of the UK’s most prolific tax fraudsters of “abusing the justice system”. Arif Patel, originally from Preston but now on the run in Dubai, led a gang running an elaborate carousel fraud operation, stealing tens of millions of pounds. It worked by using using sham companies to move goods in and out of the country to generate false VAT refunds. In 2023, he was convicted in his absence of tax fraud, money-laundering, false accounting and selling counterfeit goods. Last year a judge ordered Patel to repay £90.5m he’d gained through criminal activity. He is challenging that at the Court of Appeal, despite being on the run. Criminals defrauding the tax system costs the UK billions of pounds in lost revenue each year. File on 4 Investigates hears how those who investigated him are frustrated that he's still evading justice. Presented by Ben Robinson Producer: Alys Harte Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tara McDermott Junior Production Manager: Tom Dunster Production Management Assistant: Tim Fernley Image Credit: HMRC Handout.
File on 4 Investigates reveals the global criminal networks flooding the UK with fake cigarettes. We trace the supply chain smuggling the counterfeits across borders and lay bare the human cost as vulnerable people are moved across continents and made to work and live in clandestine factories here in the UK. We reveal how a secret factory capable of making up to a quarter of a billion cigarettes a year was recently uncovered in the UK and join Belgian customs as they raid a factory making cigarettes bound for the British market. A former senior official in Europol tells us criminal gangs are now making as much money from fake cigarettes as drugs. Presenter: Jane Deith Producer: Paul Grant Production Management: Tim Fernley & Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Richard Hannaford Editor: Tara McDermott
The number of children taken into care before they reach their first birthday is at a worryingly and persistently high level, according to new figures. In many of those cases it is unsafe for parents to look after their children - but experts believe that a significant number of those babies might not have gone into care, if the right support was in place. This programme investigates the support birth families receive and how much of a voice they are given once care proceedings begin. Figures suggest that most children who go on to be adopted are taken into care as babies. Ninety percent of adoptions happen without the written consent of birth parents. It’s led to some using the term ‘modern day forced adoption’ and to calls for a debate about the system. File on 4 Investigates hears about one project in Salford which has been praised for the support it gives to birth families, cutting the number of children going into care and being adopted. In response to our findings Adoption England say that the process provides "children with a permanent, stable and loving family" adding that "Without adoption, the vast majority of these children will remain in care throughout their childhood and, as extensive research shows" they experience "significantly worse outcomes". The government says it is putting £2.4bn into “transforming the children’s social care system” in England and say they want to increase support for children to stay with their family wherever possible. Presenter: Judith Moritz Senior Producers: Claire Kendall & Ashley Kennedy Production Co-ordinators: Tim Fernley & Tom Dunster Technical Producer: Nicky Edwards Editor: Tara McDermott For details of organisations which offer advice and information with adoption and fostering, go online to bbc.co.uk/actionline. Image: Jean and Tye, who is now an adult, are back in contact.
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