Read a summary of this week’s inquiry evidence

Written by Jessica Bomford, July 1, 2022

This week the Infected Blood Inquiry has heard evidence from key Conservative politicians in power in the late 1980s and 1990s. 

The focus of evidence was on internal discussions about whether to reach a settlement on HIV litigation brought by people with haemophilia infected with HIV in 1988 and the case in 1995 for compensation for people infected with hepatitis C.

The first witness was Sir John Major, pictured, who served as Prime Minister from 1990 to 1997 and also worked in the Treasury from 1987 to 1990 – the last year was as Chancellor. 

Next was Baroness Virginia Bottomley, health minister from 1989 to 1992, who was promoted to Health Secretary in 1992, a post she held until 1995. The third witness, Lord John Horam, was a junior health minister for 17 months between 1995 and 1997. 

The final witness was Baroness Gloria Hooper who was health minster in the Lords between 1989 and 1992. 

Transcripts of inquiry evidence are available here. A weekly summary of previous hearings can be found here.

Follow the inquiry through the Haemophilia Society’s dedicated Twitter account or join our Facebook page for daily updates on evidence when the inquiry is sitting.

For a summary of this week’s evidence, click here.