MEDIA STATEMENT
The Infected Blood Inquiry has today published its updated hearings timetable which confirms that the following will now give evidence to the Inquiry:
• 19-21 July: Dr Diana Walford (Principal and Senior Medical Officer roles 1979-83; 1983-86; 1987-89 and other Department of Health and Social Security roles)
• 22-23 July: Lord Simon Glenarthur (Parliamentary Secretary of State for Health and Social Security 1983-85)
• 27-29 July: Lord Kenneth Clarke (Minister of State for Health 1982-85 and Secretary of State for Health 1988-90).
Des Collins, Senior Partner at Collins Solicitors, legal advisor to over 1500 people affected by the contaminated blood scandal, comments:
“This is a hugely important development for the Inquiry process because these figures are central to our understanding of what went on during the critical period in the 1980s when the Government should have been responding to the AIDS crisis and considering the implications for those receiving blood products.
“We believe these individuals did know and appreciate the risks but were slow to act. However, a clear account of who knew what, when and how this impacted decisions made at the time, has never been forthcoming. There has been a lot of buck-passing and hiding behind Government protocol until now.
“Our clients have waited many years for Lord Clarke, in particular, to explain his actions – he has never given evidence on this matter before and always deflected questions by referencing advice given by Lord Glenarthur and other civil servants.
“Dr Diana Walford refused to give oral evidence to the Penrose Inquiry but again her knowledge and recollections of what happened at the time are key to understanding the history of the infected blood scandal. It is important that she shares these openly and in detail.
“I cannot emphasise enough what a massive moment this is for my clients as, finally, we may begin to get closer to the truth and the heart of the problem which led to the suffering of so many.
“It is, of course, only right these key witnesses are called to give evidence and the Inquiry is to be commended for bringing them to the stand.
“We await these hearings in July with great interest.”
ENDS
Media enquiries
Bell Yard Communications 020 7936 2021 BellYard@bell-yard.com
Melanie Riley 07775 591244 melanie@bell-yard.com
Louise Beeson 07768 956997 louise@bell-yard.com
Notes for editors
The Infected Blood Inquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, is the UK’s largest ever statutory inquiry, established to investigate how men women and children were given infected blood and blood products by the NHS from the 1970s. It is currently continuing its hearings remotely which can be followed live on the Infected Blood Inquiry website/YouTube channel.
