Boris Johnson calls for speedy payments to infected blood victims
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Victims of the infected blood scandal are being denied justice by continued delays to compensation, Boris Johnson has warned.
The former prime minister said that “justice delayed is justice denied” as he called for payments to be resolved swiftly over the worst treatment disaster in NHS history.
During the 1970s and 80s thousands, including children, were given disease-ridden products from America and were infected with HIV and hepatitis C.
As many as 30,000 people who were treated for haemophilia and other bleeding disorders were infected, and more than 3,000 have died.
Infected products came from US prisoners, sex workers and drug addicts, who were paid to give their blood to the manufacturers of a product called Factor VIII.
The Infected Blood Inquiry, which is due to publish its final report on May 20, made its most recent report on compensation on April 5 last year, recommending interim payments of £100,000 to affected individuals.
Interim payments were made to victims and spouses in 2022 but the 2023 report expanded this to also include children and parents of victims. The Government was given a deadline of the end of 2023 to make these payments.
It is thought around 2,000 people have yet to receive the interim payments they are owed under the report’s recommendations. Almost 100 people who were infected with hepatitis and HIV are believed to have died since the latest report.
‘Justice delayed is justice denied’
Yesterday, Mr Johnson joined calls for compensation to be paid out urgently to those affected by the scandal for which no organisation or individual has been held to account.
“I am pleased that the Government has already accepted the case for compensation, and this matter should be resolved swiftly, building on the interim measures already put in place,” he said. “The process of delivering justice for the victims of this tragedy and their families has been too long, and justice delayed is justice denied.”
Mr Johnson signed off payments of £100,000 to bereaved partners while Prime Minister in 2022 but other relatives have received nothing.
His concerns were backed by Tainted Blood, the biggest campaign group representing victims, which said that a body to compensate victims needed to be set up urgently and fairly, as proposed more than a year ago by Sir Brian Langstaff, the chairman of the inquiry.
The group said this needs to happen in the first half of this year. Andy Evans, the chairman of Tainted Blood, said: “Many of our 1800 members have waited for decades since their diagnosis or that of loved ones to get justice, and far too many have died waiting.
“Having refused to act for so long, the Government is now trying to backtrack on proposals passed by the House of Commons in its latest amendments in the Lords.
“The IBI report is expected to be damning of Government inaction and cover-up over the years. We need a full and honest apology from the Government and proper compensation to bring closure to so many who have suffered.”
Backing from six party leaders
Over the weekend, more than 180 politicians including Mr Johnson backed a campaign in the Sunday Times for justice for victims and their families. The politicians – including Sadiq Khan, the Labour mayor of London, Andy Burnham, the Labour mayor of Manchester and six leaders of Westminster parties – have called for lump sums and support for victims.
They have also asked for bereaved parents to be made eligible for compensation, overseen by a judge-led independent body, and an official apology.
Victims have also received the backing of Alan Bates, the campaigner who pushed for justice for wronged sub-postmasters affected by the Post Office IT scandal. He told the Sunday Times: “As with the Horizon scandal, the victims of this tragedy have already waited long enough for justice.”
A government spokesman said: “This was an appalling tragedy, and our thoughts remain with all those impacted. We are clear that justice needs to be delivered for the victims and have already accepted the moral case for compensation.
“This covers a set of extremely complex issues, and it is right we fully consider the needs of the community and the far-reaching impact that this scandal has had on their lives.
“The government will provide an update to Parliament on next steps through an oral statement within 25 sitting days of the inquiry’s final report being published.”
