VICTIMS of the infected blood scandal are set for compensation of least £10billion and an official apology from the PM.
It comes as the final independent inquiry report found the "worst-ever" health scandal "could have been avoided" and there was a "pervasive" cover up to conceal the truth.
The damning report found politicians, doctors and the NHS were guilty of a "subtle and chilling" cover-up, lying for years about the risks of taking blood from prisoners and drug addicts.
Almost 3,000 people have died and as many as 30,000 are estimated to have been infected due to failings in the 1970s and 1980s.
Blood transfusions and products like plasma were not properly screened and transmitted incurable diseases to NHS patients – often children – who were being treated for bleeding disorders like haemophilia.
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Ministers have already paid out more than £400million in compensation to surviving victims and bereaved relatives.
They are this week expected to pledge billions more in cash for families torn apart by the scandal.
Never again can such a damaged community be marginalised and ignored
Kate Burt
Today's inquiry report revealed how top doctors and politicians failed to act on warnings about the safety of the treatments and allowed the danger to continue for years.
The size of the compensation bill could be a political headache for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt but he wants to honour a 2014 promise to a dying constituent.
PM Rishi Sunak is to address Parliament today to apologise.
Sir Keir Starmer said Labour would also commit to compensation.
'NATIONAL DISGRACE'
Kate Burt, chief of the Haemophilia Society, said: "This report vindicates the long-held beliefs of survivors that the Government hid the truth to protect itself and to save money.
"The tragic truth is that many of the infections could and should have been prevented.
"The scale of human suffering unleashed by this scandal, and deepened by decades of government denial and inaction, is a national disgrace."
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Speaking at a press conference moments after the report was published, Clive Smith from the charity added: "Many of the politicians should hang their heads in shame.
"No single person is responsible for this scandal.
"It's been the results of generations of denial, delay and cover up.
"Whilst there might be an apology later today from the Prime Minister, it's not just the Prime Minister who holds responsibility and accountability for this.
"There are many others out there and I would expect over the coming days and weeks for many more people to come forward and say sorry."
Fellow campaigner, Andy Evans, from Tainted Blood, added: "We have been gaslight for generations.
"This report today brings an end to that and it looks to the future and says that this cannot continue, this ethos of denial and coverup.
"The duty of care for candour has to be reviewed going forward so this cannot happen again.”
SHOCK WAVES
Speaking ahead of the inquiry publishing their findings, Ms Burt said the findings were set to “shock every single person in the UK who cares about truth and accountability from our public servants".
“For decades, governments have dismissed the pain and suffering of those impacted by this scandal and refused to acknowledge the enormity of their failure.
“Far too many people have died believing that no Prime Minister would ever take responsibility for what happened to them.
“Never again can such a damaged community be marginalised and ignored by the institutions set up to support them.
“For the sake of the thousands of people who have died and those whose lives continue to be blighted by this terrible scandal, it is vital that the inquiry’s recommendations are acted upon.”
The independent inquiry was ordered by then-Prime Minister Theresa May in 2017.
It has cost more than £130million and heard from hundreds of witnesses including doctors, politicians, victims, families and scientists.
One victim infected with HIV and hepatitis when he was just 12 years old told The Sun: “We hope this report will be the truth of the medical side of things but it won’t be the end.
“We’re still fighting for compensation and that will continue, and there will be things we will never know.”
Both the viruses can take years or even decades to cause symptoms and many people do not realise they have them – increasing the risk that they miss out on vital treatment and spread them to others.
GP Dr Zoe Williams said: “It is truly shocking to think that there are potentially many individuals out there who have Hepatitis C due to the tainted blood scandal, but are unaware.
“It's incredibly important to raise awareness and ensure that anyone who could be at risk knows how to get tested for Hepatitis C, and also HIV.
“Anyone who received a blood transfusion, or other blood products, between 1970 and 1991 in the UK could be at risk and should get tested.”
A Cabinet Office spokesman said: “This was an appalling tragedy that never should have happened.
“We are clear that justice needs to be done, and swiftly.
“We will continue to listen carefully to the community as we address this dreadful scandal.”
