PIP Implant Scare: PIP Founder Jean-Claude Mas Freed On Bail

The owner of the French company that manufactures the controversial PIP breast implants will face charges of ‘involuntary injury’.

If you are concerned about the safety of your implants contact your GP or private clinic

Jean-Claude Mas, 72, was arrested and taken to the national police station in Marseille, but has now been freed on bail of 100,000 euro. His lawyer told AFP news: “He is not well, he is tired and he is waiting for his doctor.”

Around 40,000 women in the UK have been fitted with the controversial implant in the UK before the factory closed down in March 2010. While French and German authorities have advised that the implants should be removed amid fears of increased rupture rates, authorities in this country have so far stated that removal is only necessary if patients are feeling pain and discomfort.

PIP Implant Scare: Mas Was Under Investigation

Mr Mas has been under investigation since he revealed to police that PIP had instructed workers to hide unauthorised silicone when inspectors were visiting his factory in France. He admitted in a police interview that he had deceived safety inspectors for 13 years. The implants contained industrial-grade silicone, rather than medical-grade silicone.

A lawyer who represents women who have been affected by the PIP breast implant scare, Philippe Courtois, welcomed the arrest of Mr Mas. He said: “This is a relief. It’s come late, but at least it’s happened. He’s been placed in preventative detention. Let’s see in the coming hours what his interrogation by the investigating magistrate brings.

“But what we’re really hoping for is his formal investigation, under remand in custody, just to make sure that he doesn’t leave French soil during the investigation.”

Mr Mas said that he had ‘nothing’ to say to the women affected by his breast implants, and has insisted that the implants he used posed no threat to health and that victims had only filed lawsuits ‘to make money’.

PIP Implant Scare: Speak To A Specialist Solicitor

If you are concerned about the safety of your breast implants we recommend that you contact your GP or private clinic in the first instance. For more information check out our dedicated PIP implant website with the latest news from private clinics.

To speak to a specialist medical negligence solicitor about the prospect of claiming PIP implant compensation call today on freephone for a no obligation discussion about your potential claim 0800 0193 515. Alternatively fill out the claim form on this page and a member of our team will call you back at a time to suit you.