Victim’s anger over ‘shameful’ blood scandal

Compensation after decades-long fight

A VICTIM of the infected blood scandal said it is “shameful” that the Government has taken over 40 years to offer compensation.

Richard Warwick, who lives near Malton in North Yorkshire, spoke out after the Government announced it will make interim £100,000 payments to thousands of victims and bereaved partners by the end of October.

They were NHS patients, with blood disorders, who became seriously ill when they were treated with contaminated blood products known as Factor VIII or IX from the mid-1970s.

At least 2,400 people have died so far, after contracting bloodborne diseases such as HIV and hepatitis C from the products, which were made overseas from pooled plasma provided by thousands of donors.

The payments were recommended by Sir Brian Langstaff, chair of the ongoing public inquiry into the scandal, who said there is “a compelling case for significant relief as a matter of urgency”, as many of the victims are “living on borrowed time”.

It is the first time compensation will be paid to victims, who have spent decades campaigning.

Mr Warwick, 56, said victims have been vindicated, but it is “completely unacceptable” that the Government has taken so long to accept some liability.

He was given blood products infected with hepatitis and HIV,

while receiving experimental treatment for haemophilia at an NHS centre, at the Mayor Treloar School, in Hampshire, in the 1970s and 80s.

“This has taken over 40 years and it’s actually shameful that it has taken that long,” he said. “It’s a complete failing of democracy.”

“It’s vindication for campaigners that have said all along that the Government covered up their wrongdoings, as they continued to import Factor VIII from the United States, despite the warnings and the dangers of doing so.”

He added: “It’s shameful that the Government have denied any wrongdoing for so very long.

“The impact on people’s lives has been horrendous. Marriages and families have been broken up and people who were infected have had to move away. There’s a stigma and it has been terrible.

“It’s also sad that parents who lost children and children who lost their parents are not included in this £100,000 interim payment scheme.”

The Government said the taxfree payments will be made to victims across the UK, and they will not affect any other financial support they are entitled to.

Sir Brian said he may recommend more compensation payments, for a wider group of people, when the inquiry concludes next year.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said: ”While nothing can make up for the pain and suffering endured by those affected by this tragic injustice, we are taking action to do right by victims and those who have tragically lost their partners by making sure they receive these interim payments as quickly as possible.

“We will continue to stand by all those impacted by this horrific tragedy.”

Campaigners said that the Government covered up wrongdoings. Richard Warwick was given blood products infected with hepatitis and HIV.