Comedian Ricky Tomlinson and Thalidomide victim Gary Skyner have reacted with mixed emotions at the end of a 50 year wait for justice, following the Government's decision to award a multi-million pound payout to victims of the drug.
60-year-old Tomlinson helped campaign tirelessly to raise awareness of the plight with fellow scouser and entertainer Gary Skyner, who was born with severe birth defects as a result of the drug.
The Department of Health announced a deal at the weekend which will see #25m paid to the Thalidomide Trust every three years for the lifespan of each victim - over 400 survive.
Gary Skyner credits the Royal Family star's high profile involvement in forcing a decision from the House of Commons.
"It's no coincidence that since Ricky's involvement the Government has changed their stance on this.
"He supported me and my mother Frances during our hunger strike in September this year and didn't hesitate to publicise our campaign on TV and we cannot thank him enough.
"We are happy to have got this result, but bear in mind this figure works out as #20,000 per individual for a three year period.
"For someone with no arms and legs, that figure doesn't go very far in providing care over three years.
"We have calculated that the proper level of compensation for one person who loses their arms should be #4 million for a life time.
"The government have really got away with this scott free."
The Royle Family's Ricky Tomlinson said: "When you think about it, #20,000 in three years does not compare with the banker's bonuses.
"Some bankers will be getting more than that this year alone.
"So when you weigh it up, it's a farce really.
"Here we have more than 400 people getting £25 million over three years.
"They are not using it for going on cruises to the Bahamas, for them it is to provide necessities.
"These are people who can't even open their own front door, can't wipe their own backsides, can't cook a meal, can't hug their children.. how do you put a value on that? You can't."
Gary Skyner added: "It's really too little, too late.
"Don't get me wrong, I'm not ungrateful.
"But we have been living on a shoestring. The costs have been here for 50 years.
"We've had to beg, borrow and scrape to get by.
"Now we still haven't got the right amount. I do not wish to sound ungrateful.
"But don't expect me to do a lap of honour around Wembley for it because it is merely a help, that's all it is."
Former Brookside star Ricky joined a team of Liverpool MPs, including Louise Ellman, Maria Eagle and Frank Field, in lobbying Minister Mike O'Brien.
It is understood that Prime Minister Gordon Brown will issue an apology to victims before Christmas.
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