THE government is facing legal action from victims of the infected blood scandal over “misfeasance in public office,” their lawyer said today.

Contaminated blood products caused nearly 30,000 NHS patients to become infected with HIV and hepatitis C in the 1970s through to the 1990s. More than 3,000 have since died.

A civil litigation has now been relaunched by 500 victims against the Secretary of State for Health.

It follows the long-awaited publication last week of a report by the Infected Blood Inquiry, which found there had been a “pervasive” cover-up – including the deliberate destruction of vital files from the Department of Health. 

It said the tragedy “could largely have been avoided.” 

Collins Solicitors senior partner Des Collins said: “What we did say when we launched this action was that everything the government had done was wrong and not only was it wrong, they covered it up and lied about it.

“And of course, the report supports that view that the victims took all those years ago.

“So it’s an action against the government for misfeasance in public office.”

Separately, 50 former pupils of Lord Mayor Treloar College, where boys with haemophilia were given contaminated blood, are suing the school for an alleged failure of its duty of care.

Mr Collins called it the “deliberate killing of 70 or 80 pupils, which you can only say quickly because it’s so horrendous if you actually dwell on the words.”

Steve Nicholls, 57, from Farnham, Surrey, who attended the school said: “We have been referred to as the darkest chapter within the Infected Blood Inquiry. For us to get recognition and justice for all the haemophiliac boys and their families, we feel it is necessary to pursue it through the courts now.”

A government spokesperson said: “We do not comment on ongoing legal cases.”

Last week the government announced that victims would receive  £210,000 of compensation within 90 days, with full payment at the end of the year.