Contaminated blood scandal to have 'full statutory inquiry'

Blood products called Factor 8 were given to people with haemophilia to treat their symptoms

A "full statutory inquiry" will be carried out into the contaminated blood scandal that left at least 2,400 people dead, the government has announced.

The decision was made after victims and families expressed strong views over the involvement of the Department of Health.

The UK-wide inquiry will now be the responsibility of the Cabinet Office.

Confirming in the summer that an inquiry would be held, Theresa May said it had been "an appalling tragedy".

About 7,500 people, many with an inherited bleeding disorder called haemophilia, were given blood products infected with hepatitis C and HIV in the 1970s and 80s.

What is the contaminated blood scandal?

Families and victims had been asked whether they wanted a judge-led inquiry or a Hillsborough-style panel.

Downing Street had then indicated there would be a further announcement by the end of this year confirming what form the inquiry would take.

'Working with families'

A spokesman for the prime minister said: "We have been absolutely clear of our determination to establish what happened in relation to the contaminated blood scandal of the 1970s and 1980s and to work with the families of those affected, and we are now moving forward with that process.

"There was a strong view that it should be done away from the Department of Health.

"We have listened to those views and that's why it will be conducted under the auspices of the Cabinet Office."

The decision was made after a public consultation received more than 800 responses.

The Haemophilia Society has welcomed the government's announcement, saying it hoped the inquiry would be "a turning point in helping victims of this scandal finally get the justice they have long deserved".

Factor 8, the campaign group representing victims and families affected by the contaminated blood, said they had waited too long for an announcement that was short on detail.

"We find ourselves in despair that a chair has still not been appointed and that the inquiry is still not established."

The group said it wanted a judge-led public inquiry to establish the truth behind the blood scandal.