Royal Navy: Man with asbestos-induced cancer seeking colleagues who worked on HMS Diamede in Portsmouth in 1980

Barry Laffar worked on HMS Diamede for five days when it was docked in Portsmouth in 1980 as an employee for Graseby Instruments Ltd, a manufacturer of sonar equipment.

During his 10-hour shift he says he had to pull and feed cables through the cabin walls which disturbed the asbestos pipe lagging and meant he would have inhaled the dust.

The 69-year-old was diagnosed with mesothelioma in August and is now seeking any former employees with a similar experience to help provide witness testimonies in order for lawyers Hodge, Jones & Allen to pursue his case.

Mr Laffar, who now lives in Surrey, said: ‘This has been an incredibly tough time, and I hope that anyone I worked with during January 1980 might come forward to help with my case, and to raise awareness to other workers who also might have been exposed to asbestos.

‘I am very grateful for the support of both my medical and legal team, who have guided me through this process.’

Mesothelioma is a cancer caused by exposure to asbestos dust and fibres and according to the Health and Safety Executive, men who worked in the building industry when asbestos was used extensively are now among those most at risk of mesothelioma.

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Latest figures show there were 2,446 mesothelioma deaths in Great Britain in 2018 and numbers in 2020 are expected to remain around 2,500.

Isobel Lovett, a partner at Hodge Jones & Allen representing Mr Laffar, added: ‘In cases like Mr Laffar’s, witnesses make a huge difference in the search for justice. If people come forward, it allows us to corroborate facts and helps build a strong case in court.

‘Mr Laffar, like the thousands that have suffered at the hands of this awful product, deserves justice. He went to work in good faith for his employer, and due to his exposure, he now has terminal cancer. Going to work should never carry these consequences.’

If you think you could be of help to Mr Laffar’s case please contact [email protected]

A message from the Editor, Mark Waldron

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