Commenting on the evidence of former Prime Minister Sir John Major (1990-97) at the Infected Blood Inquiry this morning, Des Collins, Senior Partner, Collins Solicitors, says:

“Apart from his ‘bad luck’ gaffe, Sir John was actually not without sympathy for victims this morning. Yet his evidence was as measured as you would expect.

What he did convey was the Government in his time clearly understood there was a problem and were anxious to avoid the full cost and ramifications of a negligence action they knew would surely follow. Finances rather than morals guided decision making and hence victims became collateral damage due to inflexible Government policy.

We can only hope today’s Government machine finally accepts that financial compensation is long overdue and is the only thing that can be done now to atone for the travesty of the past and as recognition of what took place.”

ENDS

Collins Solicitors Media Enquiries:

To speak to Des Collins directly and/or clients of the firm with an interest in the Inquiry process , please contact:
Bell Yard Communications: BellYard@bell-yard.com

• Louise Beeson: louise@bell-yard.com / Mob: 07768 956997
• Declan Flahive: declan@bell-yard.com / Mob: 07944 629485

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. Hearings can be attended in person or followed live on the Infected Blood Inquiry website/YouTube channel