Sir John Major is accused of a cover up following the scandal
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Former Prime Minister Sir John Major should be called to give evidence to the Infected Blood Inquiry according to victims and families. The Inquiry resumes in Belfast today. It is also hearing evidence in Leeds, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London.
Des Collins represents around 1200 people affected by the scandal. He insisted that Sir John’s administration was culpable in a cover-up. This was despite the bulk of cases occurring under Margaret Thatcher’s government, when he was Chancellor.
The Scandal
The Inquiry is into contaminated blood products and transfusions across the UK in the 1970s and 1980s. In total 5000 people were affected. 3000 have since died.
Sir Brian Langstaff is leading the inquiry. He is partly responding to allegations from victims that these numbers have been diluted.
Many suggest that successive governments under Margaret Thatcher and John Major contributed to a cover-up aiming to protect the reputation of the government.
Psychological Impact
Among those giving evidence this week is Simon Hamilton, now head of Haemophilia NI. He was infected with hepatitis C via a contaminated blood product and is a haemophiliac.
He is going through counselling to tackle what he called the outpouring of “emotions which I thought I didn’t have”.
Future of the Inquiry
The next stage of the inquiry will take place next year. It will involve the medical community and public officials.
However, campaigners want more people to be questioned. They say Prime Ministers, Health Secretaries and Senior Civil Servants all have questions to answer.
Sir Brian Longstaff reiterated his determination to lead an effective enquiry. At his opening address yesterday he described the scandal as “the greatest tragedy in the history of the NHS”.
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Headline‘John Major must testify’ say victims of Infected Blood Scandal
Short HeadlineFormer PM should give evidence say victims
StandfirstThe Infected Blood Inquiry into negligence surrounding HIV and Hepatitis C resumes today in Belfast
Former Prime Minister Sir John Major should be called to give evidence to the Infected Blood Inquiry according to victims and families. The Inquiry resumes in Belfast today. It is also hearing evidence in Leeds, Cardiff, Edinburgh and London.
Des Collins represents around 1200 people affected by the scandal. He insisted that Sir John’s administration was culpable in a cover-up. This was despite the bulk of cases occurring under Margaret Thatcher’s government, when he was Chancellor.
The Scandal
The Inquiry is into contaminated blood products and transfusions across the UK in the 1970s and 1980s. In total 5000 people were affected. 3000 have since died.
Sir Brian Langstaff is leading the inquiry. He is partly responding to allegations from victims that these numbers have been diluted.
Many suggest that successive governments under Margaret Thatcher and John Major contributed to a cover-up aiming to protect the reputation of the government.
Psychological Impact
Among those giving evidence this week is Simon Hamilton, now head of Haemophilia NI. He was infected with hepatitis C via a contaminated blood product and is a haemophiliac.
He is going through counselling to tackle what he called the outpouring of “emotions which I thought I didn’t have”.
Future of the Inquiry
The next stage of the inquiry will take place next year. It will involve the medical community and public officials.
However, campaigners want more people to be questioned. They say Prime Ministers, Health Secretaries and Senior Civil Servants all have questions to answer.
Sir Brian Longstaff reiterated his determination to lead an effective enquiry. At his opening address yesterday he described the scandal as “the greatest tragedy in the history of the NHS”.
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