Nothing can bring back the 3,000 or so people who died as a result of contaminated blood products given to them by the NHS from the 1970s to the early 1990s. Thousands of others continue to struggle with viruses acquired in the same way, while others live with the knowledge that loved ones, including children, died or were infected needlessly. The report of the infected blood inquiry, published on Monday, has been far too long in coming. Victims of this disgraceful episode were fobbed off for decades, before the then prime minister Theresa May agreed to a public inquiry in 2017.
That decision was taken under strong pressure from campaigners. Andy Evans, who was infected with hepatitis C and HIV as a child, has described the official response as “kicking and screaming” all the way. The statement by the inquiry’s chair, Sir Brian Langstaff, on Monday was greeted with a standing ovation. But campaigners’ relief is mingled with anger and sadness. Truth, justice and accountability should not have been delayed for so long.
