Blood justice, soured

AFTER 30 years of campaigning by victims, their relatives and this newspaper, the start of the public inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal is extremely welcome.

Justice has been a long time coming for those who suffered in one of the darkest chapters in the history of the NHS, which saw around 2,500 people, mainly haemophiliacs, die from HIV and hepatitis.

But to add insult to grievous injury, opening statements are restricted to just a few seconds per victim. Having waited so long, the least they deserve is the chance to tell the story of their suffering.