Sunak says infected blood inquiry report marks a ‘day of shame for British state’ and offers ‘unequivocal apology’ – UK politics live

6.10pm BST

Early evening summary

• The scandal that caused thousands of people in the UK to become infected or die from contaminated blood was avoidable and inflamed by a “subtle, pervasive and chilling” cover-up by the NHS and government, a scathing report has concluded.

• Politicians “should hang their heads in shame” over the contaminated blood scandal, victims’ groups have said, and warned of future disasters because lessons have not been learned.

• Rishi Sunak has issued a “wholehearted and unequivocal apology” to the victims. (See 6.01pm.) He also said the government would pay comprehensive compensation, whatever the cost. The Labour leader Keir Starmer also apologised, saying that the victims were failed by all parties, including his own. (See 5.36pm.)

• A survivor of a school at the centre of the contaminated blood scandal where pupils were viewed as “cheaper than chimps” says he feels vindication by Monday’s report after decades of campaigning.

• The government expects to have spent at least £4.7bn on introducing post-Brexit border controls, which have been repeatedly hit by delays, the public spending watchdog has warned.

Updated at 6.15pm BST

6.01pm BST

Sunak's apology in full

Here is the full text of Rishi Sunak’s statement about the infected blood scandal report.

And here is the full apology.

Today, I want to speak directly to the victims and their families – some of whom are with us in the gallery.

I want to make a wholehearted and unequivocal apology for this terrible injustice.

First, to apologise for the failure in blood policy and blood products, and the devastating - and so often fatal – impact this had on so many lives, including the impact of treatments that were known or proved to be contaminated.

The failure to respond to the risk of imported concentrates.

The failure to prioritise self-sufficiency in blood.

The failure to introduce screening services sooner.

And the mismanagement of the response to the emergence of AIDS and hepatitis viruses amongst infected blood victims.

Second, to apologise for the repeated failure of the State and our medical professionals to recognise the harm caused.

This includes the failure of previous payments schemes, the inadequate levels of funding made available, and the failure to recognise Hepatitis B victims.

And third, to apologise for the institutional refusal to face up to these failings – and worse, to deny and even attempt to cover them up.

The dismissing of reports and campaigners’ detailed representations.

The loss and destruction of key documents including Ministerial advice and medical records.

And the appalling length of time it took to secure the public inquiry which has delivered the full truth today.

Mr Speaker, layer upon layer of hurt, endured across decades.

This is an apology from the state - to every … single … person … impacted by this scandal.

It did not have to be this way.

It should never have been this way.

And on behalf of this and every government stretching back to the 1970s, I am truly sorry.