‘Expose those who profited from this’
LAWYER’S CALL AT INFECTED BLOOD SCANDAL INQUEST
THOSE who knowingly infected haemophiliacs with HIV and hepatitis “should be made to pay for their crimes”, an inquiry has heard.
A lawyer for Newcastle campaigner and widow Carol Grayson yesterday told the inquiry into the supply of infected blood to thousands of patients there had been a “systematic attempt to destroy evidence” of the scandal and that anyone who knowingly supplied contaminated blood would be guilty of murder.
Sam Stein QC appeared before the inquiry to represent Ms Grayson, whose husband Peter Longstaff and brother-in-law Stephen were both infected with HIV and other illnesses, along with three other ‘core participants.’
Ms Grayson was instrumental in uncovering evidence which “pointed to a government cover up” Mr Stein said.
The inquiry, long demanded by Ms Grayson and fellow campaigners, aims to establish how more than 4,600 haemophiliacs were allowed to be given transfusions of blood infected with hepatitis, HIV, Creutzfeldt–Jakob disease and more.
It will investigate alleged attempts to cover up what happened, as well as identifying any individual and systematic failings.
Mr Stein told the inquiry Ms Grayson had uncovered evidence that haemophiliacs were “targeted and used as unwitting test subjects”.
Advising the inquiry on how to proceed, he called for investigation into claims by his clients of a cover-up by NHS bosses and ministers, and allegations that some involved “profited” from the “exploitation of haemophiliacs”.
He said: “We now know there was non-consensual testing of blood and organs of haemophiliacs; withholding of test results from patients who had been infected or exposed to disease who were being tested without their knowledge; there was destruction and withholding of medical records that evidenced what each individual had been tested and treated for and the inaccurate recording of statistics including deaths of haemophiliacs exposed to infected blood. “Documents have been uncovered that provide evidence government ministers gave their approval to the surveillance of haemophiliacs who had been infected with Hepatitis C and HIV. “There are identifiable conflicts of interest, particularly for doctors and the NHS, with decision-makers believed to have been on the payroll of pharmaceutical companies who were providing the NHS with infected blood products and funding research. All while maximising profit from the exploitation of haemophiliacs. “This warrants specific interrogation and investigation. Any who benefited financially must be exposed.” He concluded: “This inquiry cannot turn the clock back for the victims but it must establish the truth behind this terrible atrocity. “The medical profession must wake up to what has happened and people must be treated with respect. Once this inquiry has been completed there must be an apology from the state.” Ms Grayson said: “It is so strange to hear lawyer after lawyer repeating the allegations my husband and I made alone 25 years ago.
“The isolation we felt at that time was indescribable. Fellow haemophiliacs did not want to believe us, they were in so much shock.”
The inquiry continues.
The medical profession must wake up to what has happened and people must be treated with respect Sam Stein QC