'We're not crackpots... we're husbands and wives who have lost somebody': Widower of BBC presenter who died from Covid-19 vaccine complications says he has 'no alternative' but to take legal action against AstraZeneca

  • Lisa Shaw died of 'vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia' in May 2021
  • Husband says he tried for two years to engage with UK leaders about her death

The widower of a BBC presenter who died from coronavirus vaccine complications says he has 'no alternative' but to pursue legal action against pharmaceutical giant AstraZeneca.

Mother-of-one Lisa Shaw, 44, died from 'vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia' in May 2021, about a week after receiving her first Covid jab. She worked for BBC Radio Newcastle.

Lawyers for her husband, Gareth Eve, reportedly sent pre-action protocol letters to AstraZeneca last year on the behalf of nearly 75 people who allege that their relatives died or suffered injuries related to the vaccine.

Now, nearly two years after Ms Shaw's passing and failed attempts to 'engage with the UK Government, MPs and three prime ministers', Mr Eve has told the BBC he has taken legal action in an attempt to get 'some sort of acknowledgement or recognition' from the drug producer.

Gareth Eve says he has 'no alternative' but to pursue legal action against AstraZeneca after his wife, BBC Radio Newcastle presenter Lisa Shaw, died from coronavirus vaccine complications

Gareth Eve says he has 'no alternative' but to pursue legal action against AstraZeneca after his wife, BBC Radio Newcastle presenter Lisa Shaw, died from coronavirus vaccine complications

Ms Shaw died from 'vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia' in May 2021, about a week after receiving her first Covid jab

Ms Shaw died from 'vaccine-induced thrombotic thrombocytopenia' in May 2021, about a week after receiving her first Covid jab

The grieving widower is pursuing a lawsuit after he reportedly spent two years trying to address the vaccine-related deaths and illnesses with UK leaders.

Mr Eve alleges no one had 'reached out or engaged with us at all', forcing him to take legal action against the firm.

'We're not crackpots or conspiracy theorists, we're husbands and wives and family members who have lost somebody - that's all it is,' he said.

The father of one said that he just wants 'some sort of acknowledgement or recognition that these deaths have occurred'. 

He believes 'too many people' are grieving deaths or suffering from illnesses directly linked to the Covid jab and claims they are being forced to treat their situation as 'a dirty secret'. 

Mr Eve said that despite the 'many lives' AstraZeneca's vaccine has been accused of taking, the lawsuit is aimed at drawing attention to 'what this vaccination has done to Lisa and other families'.

He also added that the complaint is not about money, noting that no amount is 'going to bring my son's mam back'.

Mr Eve is pursuing a lawsuit after he reportedly spent two years trying to address the vaccine-related deaths and illnesses with UK leaders

Mr Eve is pursuing a lawsuit after he reportedly spent two years trying to address the vaccine-related deaths and illnesses with UK leaders

The claimants have taken legal action against AstraZeneca under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.

It is understood that they are pursuing damages on the basis that the Covid vaccine was a 'defective product in that it was not as safe as consumers generally were reasonably entitled to expect'.

The claimants have demanded payment under the Government's Vaccine Damage Payment Scheme.

The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine was first approved for use in the UK in December 2020 when the Government ordered 100million doses of it as part of its inoculation programme. The jab was rolled out alongside Pfizer's Covid vaccine.

Ms Shaw died from a vaccine-linked condition that induces brain swelling and bleeding the following May.

A spokesman for the Department for Health and Social Care told the BBC that the vaccine were the 'most effective prevention' against Covid, but did admit there have been 'extremely rare circumstances' where a person was left 'severely disabled or died' because of the jab.

The spokesman noted that all vaccines used in the UK have 'undergone robust clinical trials' and meet the Government regulatory authority's 'strict standards of safety, effectiveness and quality'.

It is understood that the claimants are pursuing damages on the basis that the Covid vaccine was a 'defective product in that it was not as safe as consumers generally were reasonably entitled to expect'. Pictured: Lisa Shaw

It is understood that the claimants are pursuing damages on the basis that the Covid vaccine was a 'defective product in that it was not as safe as consumers generally were reasonably entitled to expect'. Pictured: Lisa Shaw

Similarly, a spokesman for AstraZeneca - declining to comment on pending litigation - told the broadcaster that patient safety is its 'highest priority'.

The company also reiterated that the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency has 'clear and stringent standards to ensure the safe use of all medicines, including vaccines'.

The spokesman added: 'Our sympathy goes out to anyone who has reported health problems.'

MailOnline has approached AstraZeneca and the Department for Health and Social Care for comment.

Widower of BBC presenter who died from jab has 'no alternative' but to file suit against AstraZeneca

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