DETAILS of controversial animal experiments will be released by Newcastle University following a long legal battle.

The British Union for the Abolition of Vivisection (BUAV) launched an appeal after their Freedom of Information Act request demanding data on animal testing was turned down in 2008.

A tribunal in London rejected the university’s claim that disclosure would endanger its staff or prejudice commercial interests, and the university finally released the information yesterday.

Professor Chris Day, pro-vice-chancellor at the university’s Faculty of Medical Sciences, said: “This has never been about wishing to hide information. Indeed we have been very open about our very limited research using primates and the results of that research.

“Our primary concern throughout this process has been a duty of care to our staff and adherence to the Home Office regulations which made it potentially unlawful to release these licences.

“We have a duty to protect the welfare of our staff in this matter. However, the Home Office has confirmed this morning that it would not be in the public interest to prosecute the university provided that disclosure is confined to compliance with the strict terms of the Information tribunal order.

“The university is grateful for that reassurance and this vindicates its decision not to release any information at an earlier stage.

“The University has been caught in the middle and pursuing this through the proper channels has cost over £250,000 in legal fees.

“The work being carried out in Newcastle is fundamental research into the human brain which will increase our understanding and may lead to further treatments for diseases and conditions in the future.

“Like all animal research conducted in the UK, the work at Newcastle is strictly regulated.