THE grieving mother of a man who died from the human form of mad cow disease is demanding answers ahead of the publication of a report into CJD next Thursday.

Rhona Wood could only watch as her son Graham, a 39-year-old father-of-two, died after contracting the brain-wasting disease two years ago.

Now she has accused Baroness Thatcher's former Conservative Government of orchestrating a cover-up.

She claims leading cabinet members could have prevented the many CJD deaths by telling the public about the disease -- and any preventative measures -- sooner.

The 70-year-old woman, still devastated by her son's death in October 1998, has handed the matter to solictors.

She said: "The Government knew all about the links between BSE and CJD before they told people, I am convinced of that."

Doctors believe Graham, from Kearsley, contracted Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease through eating meat.

His wife Maria, a nurse at Royal Bolton Hospital, spent days by his bedside at Hope Hospital, Salford.

She said the disease began with flu-like symptoms before leading to double vision and mood swings within a matter of months.

He became confined to a wheelchair, lost the ability to feed himself and eventually lost his sight and the power of speech.

His wife said she was angry that her husband was not properly diagnosed.

Doctors continued to tell her that he was suffering from depression and stress up to four months before his death.

She said: "It was only after the post-mortem examination was carried out that I found out the cause of death.

"And that was only because it was written on his death certificate.

"Now my children have to face up to the fact that he won't be attending their weddings and he won't see any children they may have. That's why it still hurts."

Mr Wood was a popular engineer at British Aerospace's plant in Lostock.

A national report has been put together, taking into account 600 statements, including one by Maria.

Mr Wood's mother said: "We know he died from eating meat but Graham would only eat prime pieces.

Eating

"He steered clear of mince and burgers and was particular about what was eating.

"He had high cholesteral and had to be careful. The whole thing was terrible.

"I want an inquiry to give a firm idea as to how my son and the many others who have contracted the disease, fell ill.

"We are not first and foremost looking for compensation. We want proper answers to our questions." THE grieving mother of a man who died from the human form of mad cow disease is demanding answers ahead of the publication of a report into CJD next Thursday.

Rhona Wood could only watch as her son Graham, a 39-year-old father-of-two, died after contracting the brain-wasting disease two years ago.

Now she has accused Baroness Thatcher's former Conservative Government of orchestrating a cover-up.

She claims leading cabinet members could have prevented the many CJD deaths by telling the public about the disease -- and any preventative measures -- sooner.

The 70-year-old woman, still devastated by her son's death in October 1998, has handed the matter to solicitors.

She said: "The Government knew all about the links between BSE and CJD before they told people, I am convinced of that."

Doctors believe Graham, from Kearsley, contracted Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease through eating meat.

His wife Maria, a nurse at Royal Bolton Hospital, spent days by his bedside at Hope Hospital, Salford.

She said the disease began with flu-like symptoms before leading to double vision and mood swings within a matter of months.

He became confined to a wheelchair, lost the ability to feed himself and eventually lost his sight and the power of speech.

His wife said she was angry that her husband was not properly diagnosed.

Doctors continued to tell her that he was suffering from depression and stress up to four months before his death.

She said: "It was only after the post-mortem examination was carried out that I found out the cause of death.

"And that was only because it was written on his death certificate.

"Now my children have to face up to the fact that he won't be attending their weddings and he won't see any children they may have. That's why it still hurts."

Mr Wood was a popular engineer at British Aerospace's plant in Lostock.

A national report has been put together, taking into account 600 statements, including one by Maria.

Mr Wood's mother said: "We know he died from eating meat but Graham would only eat prime pieces.

"He steered clear of mince and burgers and was particular about what was eating.

"He had high cholesteral and had to be careful. The whole thing was terrible.

"I want an inquiry to give a firm idea as to how my son and the many others who have contracted the disease, fell ill.

"We are not first and foremost looking for compensation. We want proper answers to our questions."