Blood scandal may have been covered up, lawyer admits

THE tainted-blood scandal may have been covered up by officials, a government lawyer said as she issued an apology to victims.

Eleanor Grey QC, representing the Department of Health and Social Care, acknowledged that the infected blood inquiry had heard “many reminders of what may, at worst, have been a coverup or, at best, a lack of candour”.

She also accepted that there were questions over the alleged destruction of government documents and medical records in the aftermath of the scandal, which could have infected 25,000 blood transplant recipients with HIV and Hepatitis C.

Speaking on the final day of the inquiry’s preliminary hearings, Ms Grey said the Department wanted to express its “sorrow and regret” to victims. “Things went wrong. Things happened that should not have happened, and so, on behalf of my clients, I say unreservedly that we are sorry,” she said.

Ms Grey admitted the inquiry would “hold up a mirror” to the department and that it would be “a difficult and painful experience” for some people involved to give evidence.

But the health department was “committed” to co-operating with the investigation, she said, adding: “We wish to work with the inquiry to make sure all those affected will conclude that justice has been secured.”

Charlie Cory Wright QC, speaking on behalf of NHS Blood and Transplant, also admitted the inquiry was likely to uncover facts that were “seriously unpalatable”. He said: “We, too, are very sorry for what happened to all those infected, to all those affected and to all those who are victims.”

The inquiry heard the Department of Health and Social Care has already submitted around 1,000 documents and will hand over thousands more.

But earlier in the day, the hearing was told government departments were “colluding” to withhold key documents from tainted blood victims.

Steven Snowden QC, who represents around 800 victims and their bereaved families on behalf of Collins Solicitors, said victims had been forced to pay for their medical records and refused legitimate requests for documents under the Freedom of Information Act.

He revealed that the Treasury and the Cabinet Office had exchanged 30 pages of emails about whether or not to release a key document to one victim – and had still not done so.

In another case, a patient was refused his dead father’s notes unless he paid £600.

Outside the hearing, Des Collins, senior partner at Collins, said: “It is outrageous and wholly inappropriate.

“How can those affected by this tragedy trust anyone, if it looks as if the dice are rigged from the start?”

Mr Collins is writing to Sir Brian Langstaff, the inquiry chairman, to demand there be an investigation into the alleged liaison over releasing documents.

Jason Evans, of the Factor 8 campaign group, said: “In my experience, the Department of Health has been anything but co-operative and transparent.”