Re: publication of Sir Brian Langstaff’s final report
Infected Blood Inquiry expected 20th May 2024, Central Hall Westminster
In two months’ time Sir Brian Langstaff will publish his Final Report for the Infected Blood Inquiry. As a core group of surviving former haemophiliac pupils of Lord Mayor Treloar College and Florence Treloar School in the 1970s & 1980s, we have the following quotable statement:
“We will be united in our stance and attendance to this event.
Our emotions will be mixed. Our thoughts will predominantly be of the 72 haemophiliac boys who were also infected thanks to their treatment at Treloars, and have, sadly, lost their lives to this appalling tragedy. Most died as adolescent young men, leaving behind devastated families who to date, have received no answers or compensation for their loss.
We believe that: – Haemophiliac boys as young as 8 years old were recruited to Treloars for medical research purposes. Not only into the progressive treatments of haemophilia, but predominately for research into blood borne viruses & infections, such as hepatitis and HIV. The effects and data were gathered on this “unique cohort of boys” and they were subsequently exploited. We were “Cheaper than Chimpanzees.”
We claim that infected commercial products were knowingly used on children within Treloars when: Safer products / alternative treatments were available.
We are outraged that the above was allowed to happen without our knowledge or any parental consent whatsoever. We were children being used as lab rats.
Our parents entrusted care of their children into the hands of Lord Mayor Treloar College, enabling them to act in loco parentis. It was a conscious decision made by them not to contact our parents regarding treatments, or any risk of infection to ourselves or others.
It is our claim that Treloar’s failure in their duty of care to us is documented within the evidence supplied to this public inquiry. We are anticipating Sir Brian Langstaff’s Report will contain a chapter dedicated to the tragedy that unfolded within Treloars, and we expect it to be most damning.
Whilst we recognise Treloars as a school is now a very different entity with different personnel, nevertheless it is essential to learn from its past mistakes and recognise what went on which has blighted the lives of so many, as yet without apology, compensation or justice.”
ENDS
Collectively and individually, we are available for media interviews and comments on the lead up to, and of course on the day the report is published.
We can be reached via Collins Solicitors (Des Collins, DCollins@collinslaw.co.uk / Julie Taberer JTaberer@collinslaw.co.uk) or media requests can also be made via Collins’ PR firm Bell Yard Communications
Melanie Riley: Melanie@bell-yard.com / Mob: 07775 591244
Louise Beeson: Louise@bell-yard.com / Mob: 07768 956997
Declan Flahive: Declan@bell-yard.com / Mob: 07944 629485