The Inquiry into the infected blood scandal concludes that whilst health secretary he misled the public in an 'indefensible way' over the risks from transfusions.
Because of the very avoidable blunders over 3000 people have died from HIV or Hepatitis.
Clarke claimed there was "no conclusive proof" AIDS/Hepatitis could be spread from infected blood.
The Inquiry also attacked him for his claim campaigners focused on him because he was a 'celebrity'.
Another of Clarke's excuses was that this was “the unavoidable adverse effects which can unhappily arise from many medical procedures”.
What is incredible is that the blood plasma was acquired from groups in the US known to be high-risk.
These were young, vulnerable children who were being experimented on.
Clarke? Do the right thing and give up your seat in the HoL and whilst you're at it apologise for your gross manners.
Thatcher annotated an official Cabinet minute,
ReplyDelete. "The Government must not admit liability."
In civil litigation, the onus rests with the claimant to prove his or her case on the balance of probabilities. The defendant, in this case the UK Government, is not required to prove or disprove anything.
Thatcher was more interested in the taxpayer not being put to expense and, doing right by those infected with contaminated blood product was never in her contemplation.
Thatcher's line was misguided and wrong given all the circumstances of this ghastly situation. Whatever happened to morality!
Margaret Thatcher reportedly said in a 1989 Downing Street meeting that people infected with HIV from blood products "had been given the best treatment available on the then current medical advice, and without it many hemophiliacs would have died".
ReplyDeleteThe report called the statement a "blanket line" that was "inappropriate" and "unacceptable".
Ms Thatcher never apologised for the scandal before her death in 2013 despite mounting evidence.
When asked by victim groups for compensation in 1990, Ms Thatcher responded in a letter: "The government has not accepted that the infection of haemophiliacs with the Aids virus, tragic as it is, was the subject of negligence."
She also said the blood scandal victims receiving compensation would be "unfair" to other disabled people. Other ministers echoed these words in successive years.
The report was critical of the delays to calling a public inquiry - blaming the then-prime minister Theresa May for only announcing it in 2017 due to political pressure.
ReplyDeleteDisgracefully, the scandal was effectively covered up for more than four decades, with successive governments insisting they had done nothing wrong.
ReplyDeleteRishi Sunak’s government is criticised for its “sluggish pace” and lack of transparency on compensation.
ReplyDeleteSir Brian Langstaff, Chairman of the Inquiry, asked the Sunak Administration to have an interim compensation scheme up and running by the end of 2023. Why? because it was desperately needed. True to from, the Government wanted to delay and decided to wait for the final report. What do you expect from the wealthy Sunak and the likes of Hunt!
DeleteWhere did that callous decision leave those infected with contaminated blood products? In the shit. Many of them are in penury and were desperate.
The sooner this Gov is out the better.
As ever the root of this is Dr's and Government Advisors who disappear into the walls when the preverbal hits the fan. They protect themselves and their egos, no one else.They knew what was happening and advised everyone else who assumed they were being told the truth. I'm not a fan of Clarke or indeed any politician but they operate on the advice of clinicians and their advisors. Politicians need to learn to double check with ordinary people! Finally these people have justice, no money can compensate them. It's shameful.
ReplyDeleteIt is not about money. These poor people sought vindication. Everything that they have said has been justified.
DeleteHOWEVER, money is due to them and they must get it pronto.
I completely agree, it's not about the money and they are absolutely right to seek justice, they have been ignored, ridiculed and treated like idiots. Its shameful. It's totally right that they receive financial compensation. But it's also time that the so called 'systems' are held properly accountable.
DeleteClark should be "shafted."
ReplyDelete