Read a summary from this week at the inquiry

Written by Jessica Bomford, January 22, 2023

This was the first week of the final stage of the Infected Blood Inquiry when core participants have the chance to present their views on what recommendations and findings of fact should be made in the final report.

Most of these presentations will be made by lawyers on behalf of their clients, but a few individuals will put their own cases directly to Sir Brian Langstaff, Chair of the inquiry.

This week there were four days of hearings, beginning with a closing statement from Steven Snowden KC, on behalf of clients of Collins Law. Included in this was a presentation by Brian Cummins about boys and young men infected through treatment at Treloar’s College in the 1980s. This was followed by a statement from Andrew Bragg, who was infected with hepatitis C following a motorbike accident.

On Wednesday there was a short statement on behalf of the Department for Health and Social Care from Eleanor Grey KC, followed by a submission from Barbara Scott, whose husband Ronald died as a result of being infected with HIV and hepatitis C through treatment for his haemophilia.

Closing submissions on behalf of the Haemophilia Society and those represented by Eversheds Sutherland were made on Thursday by Katie Gollop KC, pictured. Next was a statement on behalf of the UK haemophilia doctors’ organisation (UKHCDO) was made by Andrew Kennedy KC.

Finally, on Friday there was a statement made by Karon Monaghan KC on behalf of Saunders Law clients, followed by a statement by Roanna Maharaj on behalf of the UK Thalassaemia Society.

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

Transcripts of inquiry evidence are available here and you can also watch the presentations on the inquiry’s YouTube channel. 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 when the inquiry is sitting.