In mid-January 2025, the Chair of the Infected Blood Inquiry wrote to the Chair of Haemophilia Scotland (and we believe other charitable and campaigning groups) with a request under Rule 9 of the Inquiries Act 2005 to provide a written statement to the Inquiry on our involvement and knowledge since the Inquiry Report was published last May.
Where a Rule 9 request is made, the recipient is obliged to provide the requested statement, unless the information provided may incriminate the writer.
The areas we were asked to cover were:
- The question of compensation.
- What, if any, external support or assistance we have received.
- The involvement of those infected and affected in the decision making regarding compensation.
- The impact on our organisation of this involvement.
- The impact we believe we perceive the decision making on compensation has had on people infected and affected, and why.
- Are there steps or measures which the government and the IBCA, or both, could take to alleviate any detrimental impact us or the infected and affected community.
We submitted our statement on 4th February 2025, but were not allowed to publicise this until it was published in the Inquiry website and disclosed to core participants to the Inquiry. Our statement, and others made, are now available on the Inquiry website and may be viewed here.
In publishing these statements the Inquiry has said that since May 2024 it has been approached by campaign groups and individuals who have expressed their concerns about the way compensation is being implemented and the time it is taking.
In light of the gravity of the issues that have been raised with the Inquiry, the Chair has indicated he intends to publish a further report, which will consider the timeliness and adequacy of the Government’s response on compensation. The Chair has not yet decided whether any further hearings are required.
Sir Brian Langstaff said:
“The distress and feelings of powerlessness expressed in many of these statements can neither be denied nor ignored. Our goal at the Inquiry is to identify whether there are practical measures that could be taken or changes made to address the concerns that have been brought to us. Our intention is for this to be a constructive process, and we are anxious not to contribute to further delay in individuals receiving compensation.”
The further report will be published in line with paragraph 5 of the Inquiry’s Terms of Reference. To inform this further report, the Inquiry is seeking further evidence, including from the Cabinet Office and IBCA. In due course, core participants to the Inquiry will be invited to make written submissions (through their recognised legal representatives where they are represented), in accordance with the Inquiries Act and Inquiry Rules. This is said now so that those who intend to make written submissions may begin considering them in the interest of speed, even if they cannot be completed until all the further evidence has been gathered in.
The Inquiry expects to publish further statements next month. At that time, the Inquiry will also announce whether additional hearings will be held, the timeframe for providing written submissions and for the publication of its further report.
The full text of the Inquiry announcement can be seen here.