Royal doctor forced to quit after developing lung cancer 'caused by exposure to asbestos'

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

A trusted doctor to the Queen has been forced to quit after developing lung cancer, which he claims was caused by exposure to asbestos more than 40 years ago.

Dr Ian Campbell held the title of Apothecary to the Royal Household at Sandringham for 15 years before being forced to retire last year after contracting mesothelioma, a cancer of the membranes of the lungs.

He is now suing a pharmaceutical company for almost £1million because he claims his illness is the result of being exposed to asbestos while employed there.

In a High Court writ, he alleges that during his teens and early 20s at the Allen & Hanbury plant in Ware, Hertfordshire - where his adoptive father, Dr Norman Campbell, was managing director - he repeatedly polished, screwed, shaped and drilled Ferobestos, a plastic which contained asbestos fibres.

The writ alleges the company failed to provide workers with suitable protection. It is now owned by GlaxoSmithKline.

Yesterday, Dr Campbell's wife Averil was with him at their home in Snettisham, near Sandringham, as he recuperated from an operation.

A spokesman for GlaxoSmithKline said: "We have the deepest sympathy for Dr Campbell. A claim has been received by our insurers and is being progressed with all due diligence."