Read a summary of this week’s inquiry evidence

Written by Jessica Bomford, July 23, 2022

This week the Infected Blood Inquiry has covered topics including the setting up of financial support for people infected with hepatitis C through contaminated blood products and government support for people infected with HIV in the 1980s.

In five days of evidence, the inquiry heard from Duncan Macniven, who was assistant secretary at the Scottish Home and Health Department from 1986 to 1990. He was followed by Lord Michael Forsyth who joined the Scottish Office as a junior minister in 1987 and stayed until 1992, during which time he was promoted to be a minister. Between 1995 and 1997 he was Secretary of State for Scotland.

Lord John Reid, Secretary of State for Health between 2003-2005, pictured, gave evidence primarily on his role in setting up financial support for people infected with hepatitis C through blood and blood products. Hazel Blears, a junior health minister between 2001 and 2003 also gave evidence.

Dr Robert McQuiston, assistant secretary in the Health Services Division, Department of Health and Social Security for Northern Ireland between 1984 and 1988 gave evidence about HIV public health campaigns in that period. There was a short presentation about governmental decision-making in Northern Ireland and Wales in the 1980s.  

Click here for a summary of this week’s evidence.

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.