Northern Ireland

Former British Health Minister defends his role in contaminated blood scandal during 1980s

Infected blood donations were used in the 1970s and 1980s to treat NHS patients
Infected blood donations were used in the 1970s and 1980s to treat NHS patients Infected blood donations were used in the 1970s and 1980s to treat NHS patients

A PUBLIC inquiry into a NHS contaminated blood scandal that affected almost 100 people in Northern Ireland has heard a former British Health Minister defend his position.

Ken Clarke told the Infected Blood Inquiry he was "not responsible" for blood products during his time in office between 1982 to 1985.

Lord Clarke said the emerging controversy surrounding the blood products was something that "hardly ever came across my desk" as he was dealing with policies such as closing "old Victorian asylums" or getting rid of "old geriatric hospitals".

The UK-wide inquiry into the massive scandal, which left at least 2,400 people dead and has been described as the worst NHS treatment disaster, began hearing harrowing oral evidence from those affected in 2019.

About 5,000 people, including 99 from the north, were infected with contaminated blood products during treatment for haemophilia, that led to some contracting conditions such HIV and Hepatitis B and C during the 1980s.

Haemophilia, which has no cure, impairs the body's ability to make blood clots.

After his role as health minister, Lord Clarke was later made the health secretary from 1988 to 1990.

Appearing at the inquiry yesterday, he told lead counsel Jenni Richards QC: "As the tragedy with the haemophiliacs developed, I was aware it was there. From time to time, usually on my own instigation, I got on the edge of it.

"I didn't call meetings on it. I was never the minister directly responsible for blood products. I was never asked to take a decision on blood products. I never intervened to take a decision on blood products. I did intervene or get involved in discussions a bit when I wanted to be reassured."

He added: "When I arrived (as health minister), the idea that blood products was a very big part of the department's activity is simply not true.

"It was a very specialist, usually quiet, harmless, subject and was one of the few areas where we didn't have controversy and there wasn't very much for the department to do because the blood transfusion service ran itself."

In the second half of the session, the inquiry heard about a blood donation leaflet circulated to the public which Lord Clarke was involved in.

The leaflet, published in 1983, was aimed at trying to "discourage" those who were highly at risk of contracting Aids to not donate blood to prevent further spread of the disease.

Minutes displayed and read out to the inquiry showed Lord Clarke attending several meetings involving the leaflets, discussing its content and giving feedback on how it should be distributed.

Asked why he had got involved, Lord Clarke said it was "to avoid panic getting out".

The inquiry will hear evidence from him for a further two days.