October 2025 Newsletter

10 Jun

Your legal team have updates for you to read

Hello to all our new members who have joined the campaign. We hope that you will find this a supportive and empowering group to be in.

We haven’t done a newsletter for a while, and there are a lot of updates, so grab a cuppa and read on.

We now have a successful steering group which is working well and helping me with lots of the admin tasks involved in running such a large campaign. If you are interested in being a part of the steering group, please drop me a line.

Launch of the Group

I am delighted to tell you all that the Group, DES Justice UK, will be launched via Press Release on Tuesday 4th November. We have just had a meeting with Jess Toale MP who has agreed to sponsor a room in Parliament for us on that day. What that means is that we have a private room, in Westminster on the day of the launch.

We have the room between 1000-1100 and 1700-1830. It would be amazing if those of you who feel able to, can attend.

The purpose of our presence will be symbolic, we are saying this injustice began in Westminster, and that is where we think it should end. So we will be inviting MP’s to come and visit us on the day and listen to you, about your lived experience, and to learn what DES Justice UK is all about.

Roxanne is busy making us a banner and I will get some literature ready. We may even get some additional press. If you are able to come to one, or both of the sessions, please email me. Can you please also give me the name of your MP (and feel free to write separately!) as we will letting them know that a member of their constituency is in Westminster that day and would very much like them to stop by and learn about our campaign. If you would like to write to your MP to encourage them to attend, you can use this link that will take you to a tool help you.

ITV Coverage

ITV will be continuing their coverage of our campaign on launch day. They will be running an item on the national news and also various regional ones. Many of you have kindly agreed to be interviewed for the regional pieces. Thank you so much – it will be really powerful on the day to have this covered both at regional and national level.

It is a very brave thing to do and I have the upmost respect for you all in doing so. I know it is entirely out of most people’s comfort zones. If you are asked or approached by the press prior to our launch day, it would be helpful if you were to wait until afterwards – so we do not lose any traction.

One of the group, Kimberley, has been doing some amazing work in having Scottish voices heard around this injustice. Below is a link to the clip of Kimberley on a recent STV news piece. Although STV ran this earlier than we would have liked, they have promised to re-run it on the date of the launch.

STV News Article

I would really like to reiterate that nobody is under any obligation whatsoever to engage in press or media interviews. Everybody’s journey with DES is deeply personal, and what is right for one person, may not be right for another. It is a sign of the times we live in that in order to seek truth, justice, and accountability we have to speak loud. However, every single member of this group is valued and needed, and just by being a part of our number, you are helping people feel empowered, heard and supported.

Ten Second Clip – ITV request

ITV are interested in collating some footage from as many of you as possible. The idea is to create a visual image of the volume of people affected by this scandal. If you wish to take part, then the instructions are below. Any footage can be sent direct to Sarah Corker at sarah.corker@itn.co.uk or via WhatsApp 07795 908319.

What’s needed:

- Your video camera on your mobile phone and someone to film you. MAX 10-15 seconds.

Instructions:

Please hold it landscape (horizontal)
Make sure you are recording in high quality (I can send a screen recording on how to check this)
Framing - central in the frame from below the shoulders up. See this example.
A sentence or two - explaining the impact DES has had on your life. Examples:
"My name is xxxx (first name only). I had a rare type of aggressive cancer linked to my exposure to DES."
"My name is xxxx. I’ve had a lifetime of fertility problems and countless operations connected to DES."
At the end, please then look straight into the camera for 10 seconds.

See Sarah's example video here.

Our Logo

Here is our logo. This was the result of lots of input and various meetings of the Steering group. A huge thanks to Issy who finalised the image. There are some notes below explaining the logo that will go out with the press release. Please do not share either the name of the group or our logo ahead of the lunch on the 4th Nov as this will affect the traction we get from the press.

The image features the original style pill bottle that the drug was administered from. It is in the muted shade of the brown colours of the medicinal bottles from that period.

The backdrop is Westminster. This is significant as this drug was created by a state sponsored scientist through publicly funded research. The origin of this drug and its toxic legacy is deeply entwined with government policy.

This scandal began in Westminster, and we believe that is where it should end. The Government is culpable, the public paid for the formula of this drug – but the Government prioritised profitability over safety concerns. Never appointing anyone to monitor its safety, usage and ultimate Harm.

The yellow behind the image is a deliberate sign of this group coming out of the dark and into the light. This group is empowered to seek justice and accountability. They are a shining beacon of positivity. One of their primary aims is to spread the word of this injustice far and wide.

The use of the shortened version of the drug ‘DES’ is because this is how the drug is universally referred, in the US, Europe and Australia. The full name of the drug, Diethylstilbestrol, is also included in the logo.

‘DESperately seeking answers’ is the email sign off of one of our campaigners and struck a chord with all those affected.

The use of ‘UK’ is included as we want to demonstrate how shamefully behind the rest of the world the UK is - both in recognising this injustice, but also by its lack of medical research, treatment and screening.

North One Documentary

You will recall we were approached a while ago by a production company wanting to make a 90 minute feature length documentary about the DES Scandal. This has progressed and we are really excited by the opportunity. They are looking for people who would be interested in telling their story.

Before you think about putting yourself forward, the team behind this also made the documentary ‘Maternity: Broken Trust' available on ITVX. It may be an idea to watch this film.

Please note, it is a coincidence that this film is about maternity. There is no link between the content of this film and the one that the production company intends to make about DES Justice.

**Trigger Warning** I have watched the maternity documentary as part of my due diligence in researching the production company. It is a raw and hard hitting documentary featuring the failures in maternity care at Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. It features baby loss, death and medical procedures.

The documentary makers interested in DES want to follow the same format featured in this programme. Please get in touch if you have any further questions.

Centre for People’s Justice

I am collaborating with Professor Lydia Hayes who is working with communities trying to ensure everyone understands the importance of the Public Accountability Bill or ‘ Hillsborough Law’. When this Bill is passed, it will give the Government nowhere to hide and will be vital to the success of our campaign. Here is a link to their latest video. You can subscribe to their channel and watch all of the videos so far. They are an excellent resource for understanding the Bill and what it means for you, and for future generations.

Open University

I have shared this article before, but I think it is worth re-sharing for new members. Sharon is an amazing advocate for DES and we are hoping to work together on something going forward. Click the button below to read.

Open University Article

Can you crochet/knit? Do you know anyone who can?

Roxanne, our wonderful Creative Campaigner, has had an idea for a visual campaign. The concept is hundreds of knitted or crocheted pill bottles that we could line up to reflect this toxic drug.

This is something we are working on for a future date, but if you can help out, please email Roxanne who will tell you more. We are also looking for anyone who may be able to help making banners for the group. If this is you – get in touch.

Staying Connected

The Facebook group DES Daughters and Sons Support Group UK is live and active. You can join here or via the button below.

The group has been created by the incredibly brave Suzanne, who talked about her lifetime of destructive health problems as a result of her mother being prescribed DES for the recent ITV News documentary.

You can also watch this video message from Suzanne, who shares her hopes for the Facebook group and why she encourages you to join. This is a safe, private space for those affected by DES to chat privately and share experiences. To be clear, the group is not run by Broudie Jackson Canter. This is a separate safe space ran by Suzanne to help connect DES Daughters and Sons.

Join Group

You can get in touch with us at DESJustice@broudiejacksoncanter.co.uk.

There is a lot in this newsletter! If you are feeling overwhelmed, or unsure about anything, please drop me an email. If you would prefer to chat, pop your number on the email and I will give you a call. I am helped out on the DES Justice inbox by Gabriel, Sorcha and Kira, so you may get an initial response by one of them. However, they will flag it to me and I will respond as soon as I can.

Thank you all for being a part of this community. We are stronger together. Please do take care of yourselves, and step away if you need to at any time - prioritise your peace and wellbeing.

Best regards,

Clare (Partner)