For targeting the vulnerable EXPOSED: The British firm flogging parents water to help autism’ And its links to vaccine-scare scientist

are on good terms and share his research developments with our customers to keep them up to speed.”

Silica Waters, which operates as a trading name of Garratt’s PR firm, Link Us, sent an unsolicited message to Emma’s autism support group. A rep said: “Lots of parents of autistic children tell us how our water has such positive effects on their children. Please note we also send free introductory samples to support groups.” When 43-year-old Emma, mum to Damien, 12, and Skylar, seven, asked them to explain how the water worked, the company asked if an employee could phone her.

Symptoms

Emma, from Plumstead, South London, then said: “We have so many families that would benefit. Have you had any children cured of all symptoms of autism?” And she says the rep replied: “Many parents, some from other support groups, find improvements and write to us about this. Yes.”

Garratt and Latham denied telling parents their water could cure autism when we quizzed them.

Garratt, who worked in PR for the Malaysian tourist board, said: “The word yes would be taken out of context if it was suggested that reply was, ‘yes, this cures symptoms of autism’. We’d never say that because we have close relationships with many parents and they’d be happy to share with you that under no circumstances would we ever suggest this water can cure autism.”

Latham added: “We are supercareful and don’t make unsubstantiated claims. We say many people have told us it helps them.” But asked if she personally thought the water could cure autism, she said: “I’ve got an open mind and so has Rex.”

Garratt, 70, from Hove, East Sussex, cites Exley’s research extensively. His site states: “Prof Exley’s research has shown a hypothesis linking aluminium accumulation in the body and neurological conditions, and revealed ... silica water removes aluminium from the body. Silica is also known to help promote softer skin, shinier hair and supple joints.” But small print stresses: “The link between aluminium neurotoxicity and neurological conditions remains a hypothesis.”

Exley – pictured with Garratt in 2017, holding a bottle of his water – last night insisted he had “no connection” to Silica Waters.

He said: “We’ve shown if you drink anything rich in silicon it removes aluminium from your body. If other people interpret that to mean aluminium is the cause of autism and removing it could help, that’s their interpretation.

“Silica Waters contacted us at Keele to offer 10 percent of profits, to fund research. My university turned that down. We received one donation for £340-odd.” Exley said the crowdfunding was set up by a third party without his knowledge, adding: “Keele does not allow crowdfunding projects.”

And responding to criticism from fellow academics, he said: “Name me an academic who is qualified in any way to criticise what we have done.”