A CORONER has concluded that the death of a published author and professor from Keswick due to mesothelioma cannot be ‘safely’ judged to be caused by asbestos exposure in his youth, despite ‘strong statistical links’. 

Professor Allen Thompson, 84, died peacefully in his sleep on June 11, 2024 at his home on Manor Brow, Keswick, in the presence of his long-term partner, Dr Gillian Ania.

Professor Thompson had been diagnosed with mesothelioma, a type of lung cancer strongly linked to exposure to asbestos, in May 2023. 

He had first complained to his GP, Dr Whittaker, in January 2023 of shortness of breath.

After persistent and worsening symptoms, he was examined and eventually formally diagnosed with mesothelioma in May 2023, and was placed on a treatment plan which included palliative radiotherapy. 

His condition deteriorated in May 2024, and he was placed on end-of-life care. 

A statement read to Cockermouth Coroner’s Court written by Professor Thompson himself after his diagnosis outlined when he believed he had been exposed to asbestos. 

He explained that he attended the University of Leeds between 1958 and 1961, and took a six-week job in Keighley, where he grew up, and in a company where his parents worked. 

He said that his role was cutting up asbestos boards with a handsaw to fit cladding sheets for buildings, and that he was ‘never warned about the dangers of cutting asbestos boards’. 

His statement said that he would have to ‘remove dust from my glasses to see’. 

Professor Thompson also said that a chest x-ray he underwent in 2007 showed a ‘shadow on his lung and asbestos scarring’. 

Dr Whittaker offered a cause of death of mesothelioma, with no contributing factors.

Area coroner for Cumbria, Kirsty Gomersal, cited the 2021 ‘Wandsworth case’ as a reason that she must ‘exercise caution’, when making a causative link to asbestos exposure and mesothelioma.

She said: “What we have here like in many asbestos cases is known exposure to asbestos, and mesothelioma, but where is the evidence in the middle connecting the two?  

“The Wandsworth case very strongly reminds coroners that we need to have that connective tissue, so to speak. 

“Dr Whittaker doesn't seem to seek to connect mesothelioma to the asbestos, and it is not my function as a coroner to try to essentially determine that particular matter.” 

Ms Gomersal commented however that there is a ‘clear statistical link’ between asbestos and mesothelioma. 

Ms Gomersal concluded that Professor Thompson died due to mesothelioma, ‘a disease associated with asbestos exposure’, and that he had been exposed to asbestos during his adult life. 

Dr Ania said that Professor Thompson was ‘very well read’, and his final novel was published three weeks after his death. 

She said that he ‘contributed greatly to the local community’.