Infected blood scandal was ‘a criminal cover-up on an industrial scale’ – Andy Burnham – Channel 4 News

20 Might 2024

We spoke to Andy Burnham, Mayor of Larger Manchester and former Well being Secretary from 2009 to 2010, to get his response to the report.

The ultimate report into the contaminated blood scandal has been launched, calling it the worst therapy catastrophe within the historical past of the NHS, and sufferers have been knowingly uncovered to “unacceptable dangers.”

The Inquiry Chair Sir Brian Langstaff pointed to the sheer scale of the tragedy, calling it “horrifying”.

Andy Burnham: Effectively, it’s every thing that the households wished, it’s taken far, far too lengthy. So there are questions for everyone right here, for all political events, for parliament, how did this take so lengthy? How did an injustice on this scale go below a cover-up for many years and nothing was finished.

Jackie Lengthy: Precisely as you say, successive governments of each political persuasions have needed to be dragged kicking and screaming to this second when justice may have been delivered to the households a lot, a lot earlier.

Andy Burnham: I mentioned a couple of weeks in the past, this report would rock Whitehall to its foundations, and it ought to rock Whitehall to its foundations. I’m happy to see, Sir Brian [Langstaff] verify, in my opinion, what I mentioned in my remaining speech to Parliament that this was a prison cover-up on an industrial scale. The prison phrase is mine. He simply says cover-up. However I consider it’s a prison cover-up. I definitely wish to see prosecutions. There needs to be full accountability right here for what occurred alongside that full apology, a significant apology, and a full compensation scheme instantly.

Jackie Lengthy: When you have been to crystallise what you suppose has gone improper over many years politically within the political system, there’s been denial, disregard, disrespect for these households?

Andy Burnham: I believe the blame rests someplace over there within the Treasury as a result of I do know that they’ve had a form of grip on this problem that no statements admitting legal responsibility might be made by anyone. As a result of that was the view of the British state from the beginning. The type of worry of monetary publicity couldn’t be allowed to be opened up, and that was the grip that they placed on this from the beginning. And I believe that explains why the road by no means modified over time.

Jackie Lengthy: And what do you suppose that has meant for the various, many victims?

Andy Burnham: It’s re-traumatizing. That’s the unique hurt of the an infection, the an infection to family members. However then that re-traumatizing impact of being left within the wilderness for all of these years shouting to be heard. It’s simply taken far, far too lengthy for at the present time to come back. However really, it might have been fairly doable that at the present time by no means did come as a result of the cover-up was so orchestrated and was so sturdy. However lastly, it’s been damaged. However popping out of it, as I say, Whitehall needs to be rocked to its foundations. We’d like main reform to the way in which this nation is run. As a result of take a look at the sample right here: Hillsborough. Submit workplace. At this time, contaminated blood. The story is similar. A significant improper is completed. After which it’s coated up for many years. And the victims are left within the wilderness. What number of extra instances are we going to permit this to occur to individuals? There have to be a full Hillsborough regulation placed on the statute e book, with Sir Brian’s suggestion of a statutory responsibility of candour on all senior civil servants. That’s the solely manner we’ll break this sample.

Jackie Lengthy: A part of all of those scandals that you just’ve referenced, unusual individuals not being listened to by the authorities, by parliament, by ministers.

Andy Burnham: And so they’re there as we speak. It’s heartbreaking in a method simply to see all people there. the weariness on their faces. However as we speak some elation and type of the load lifted lastly off their shoulders. However they need to by no means have been on this place. If the nation had a statutory responsibility of candour, we might have a scenario the place individuals inform the reality on the first time of asking. And none of this might have occurred. It could have been corrected on the very starting. However I simply really feel elated for them as we speak as a result of lastly, that voice has been heard. And Sir Brian magnificently has given the group a voice. However actually ought to we ever be gathering like this, on a day like this?

Shameful. Whitehall rocked to its foundations. How can authorities line up behind a lie for 4 many years? How can that be allowed? To occur in a rustic like ours. How can parliament ignore an injustice on this scale for all of these years. A prison cover-up on an industrial scale. That’s what contaminated blood is, and that’s the reason there now must be full redress on each stage.

Jackie Lengthy: Do you suppose prosecutions are a part of justice?

Andy Burnham: And prosecutions additionally ought to observe.

Rishi Sunak talking within the Home of Commons this afternoon mentioned:

“It is a day of disgrace for the British state. At this time’s report exhibits a many years lengthy ethical failure on the coronary heart of our nationwide life. From the Nationwide Well being Service to the civil service. To ministers in successive governments. At each stage, the individuals and establishments wherein we place our belief, failed in probably the most harrowing and devastating manner.”

“I need to make a wholehearted and unequivocal apology for this horrible injustice.”

“We pays complete compensation to these contaminated and people affected by this scandal, accepting the rules really helpful by the inquiry, which builds on the work of Sir Robert Francis. No matter it prices to ship this scheme, we pays it. And my Proper Honourable pal, the Minister for the Cupboard Workplace will set out the main points tomorrow.”