Damning new documents revealed officials used tainted blood for at least five years after discovering the danger

Theresa May is under pressure to call for a public inquiry into the scandal

But she did not respond to demands for an inquiry at Prime Minister's Questions

Mrs May, speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, said ministers will examine 'any new evidence that is brought forward' over the scandal

Theresa May is under growing pressure to order a public inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal following the revelation of damning new documents.

ADVERTISEMENT

The Prime Minister was forced to address the issue in the House of Commons yesterday, after papers published in the Mail on Tuesday revealed officials continued to give patients tainted blood for at least five years after discovering the danger.

Mrs May, speaking at Prime Minister's Questions, said ministers will examine 'any new evidence that is brought forward' over the scandal - but did not respond to demands for an inquiry.

An estimated 2,000 people in Britain died with hepatitis and HIV after they received tainted blood clotting agents in the 1970s and 1980s.

Minutes of papers disclosed by the Daily Mail suggest health knew at least as early as 1981 that patients were falling sick.

Government scientists were so sure the blood was dangerous that they even planned to use victims as guinea pigs to develop a new test for hepatitis.

Yet it was not until 1986 that supply of the contaminated blood stopped.

Diana Johnson, Labour MP for Hull North, said the scandal involved 'a criminal cover up on an industrial scale' - and asked the Prime Minister to launch an inquiry.

She said: 'Mr Speaker, 2,400 people have died as a result of the NHS contaminated blood scandal, more than Hillsborough and all the other disasters over the previous few decades put together.

'Will the Prime Minister now do the right thing and order a public inquiry for the whole of the United Kingdom?'

Mrs May said: 'She raises an important issue and I know that the thoughts of members of the House will be with all of those who have been affected by this terrible tragedy, in relation to contaminated blood.

Click here to resize this module

'Serious allegations have been made and I would say, obviously, information that has been brought forward to the House will be looked at by ministers in the Department of Health.

Scientists were so sure the blood was dangerous, they even planned to use victims as guinea pigs to develop a new test for hepatitis (stock photo)

'But if any member has any further information or evidence that they believe will be important, that should go to ministers so that they can properly investigate it.

Victims, patients, lawyers and politicians from both the Labour and Conservative parties last night joined growing calls for a 'Hillsborough-style' inquiry into the scandal.

Former health secretary Andy Burnham, who has in recent months has become one of the most vocal campaigners on the issue, called for an inquiry to be announced before the Parliamentary recess begins on July 21.

Mr Burnham, who is now mayor of Greater Manchester, said: 'This is one of the great injustices that has been allowed to stand in this country.

ADVERTISEMENT

'Thousands of people died and the lives of many more families were destroyed through the wilful negligence of public bodies and a criminal cover up on an industrial scale.

Documents have found some patients were given deadly contaminated blood for at least five years (stock photo)

'These revelations only strengthen the need for a Hillsborough-style inquiry so we can give the victims of this scandal what they have never had – the truth.

'I have called on the Government to establish such an inquiry before the summer recess. If they do not I will demand a police investigation.'

Solicitors representing 300 families on Tuesday lodged legal papers at the High Court in London in a bid to sue the Government over the scandal.

But even those lawyers said a public inquiry would be preferable.

Danielle Holliday, a partner at Collins Solicitors, said: 'A public inquiry which has the power to compel witnesses to attend is the preferable route. But in the absence of that we are pursuing the legal option.

ADVERTISEMENT

'It's about getting witnesses to appear so we can get to the truth.'