SINN Féin’S Elisha McCallion has welcomed the removal of the inquiry into the Blood Contamination scandal from the Department of Health in Britain.
The dramatic U-turn came after families raised their concerns about the independence of an inquiry run by DoH which was responsible for the blood contamination in the first place.
It has now lead to a turn around by British Prime Minister Theresa May who has announced the that the British Cabinet Office will run the inquiry
The Sinn Fein Foyle MP said: “I welcome that the British Government have removed the inquiry into the Blood Contamination scandal from the Department of Health in Britain.
“It is unacceptable that a branch of the British government clearly implicated in causing this scandal would be allowed to investigate what it did wrong.
“At least 2,400 people have died in the north of Ireland and in Britain from health complications resulting from contaminated blood given to those with existing blood-related illnesses.
“I have spoken to many constituents affected by this fatal scandal, including many who’ve lost friends, family and loved ones through contamination.
“They too will welcome this decision in their campaign for justice.
“This is a major public health scandal and the British Government must now ensure the inquiry has the necessary scope and powers to deliver justice for survivors.”
The probe into the contaminated blood scandal will be a “full statutory inquiry” and will come under the responsibility of the Cabinet Office after victims and families “expressed strong views” over the potential involvement of the Department of Health, Downing Street said last night.
Prime Minister Theresa May announced earlier this year that an inquiry would be held into the events of the 1970s and 1980s, which left around 2,400 people dead.
But campaigners had rejected the Government’s proposed process, saying the health department should not be involved in setting up an inquiry when it is under investigation itself.
Downing Street said there had been around 800 responses to the consultation in setting up the inquiry.
Thousands of haemophiliacs and other patients were given blood products infected with hepatitis C and HIV.
Campaigners and families of those affected by the scandal boycotted a meeting with Department of Health officials over the remit of the UK-wide inquiry earlier this year in protest at its involvement.
The Prime Minister’s official spokesman said: “The inquiry will be conducted under the responsibility of the Cabinet Office rather than by the Department of Health with immediate effect.
“We have been absolutely clear of our determination to establish what happened in relation to the contaminated blood scandal of the 1970s and 1980s and to work with the families of those affected, and we are now moving forward with that process.
“There was a strong view that it should be done away from the Department of Health. We have listened to those views and that’s why it will be conducted under the auspices of the Cabinet Office.”
Families and victims had been asked whether they wanted a judge-led inquiry or a Hillsborough-style panel.
Downing Street said there would be a further announcement by the end of the year on the setting up of the inquiry.