CAMPAIGNERS reported that 82 victims of the infected blood scandal have died without seeing compensation as they demonstrated in Westminster today.

Thousands of patients were infected with HIV and hepatitis C through contaminated blood products in the 1970s and 1980s.

The Infected Blood Inquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, is due to publish its final report in May but made recommendations on compensation for victims and their loved ones in April 2023.

Terrence Higgins Trust chief executive Richard Angell said: “The victims of this scandal have been waiting for justice for decades and shouldn’t be made to wait any longer, with 82 having died since the inquiry published its full and final recommendations on compensation.”

Haemophilia Society chief executive Kate Burt said: “It is sickening and cruel that five decades after our community was exposed to the horror of the contaminated blood scandal, we are still waiting for government to right that wrong and take responsibility.

“The government must commit to paying full compensation and put an end to the long-standing, shameful political culture of passing the buck on this issue.”

Rachel Halford, chief executive of The Hepatitis C Trust, added: “Today’s lobby reflects the community’s profound frustration and distress after more than 50 years without justice.

“The government’s refusal to act is actively harming these people, people whose lives have already been devastated by infected blood.

“They deserve better than this.”

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was heckled when he appeared before the inquiry last year as he vowed to pay compensation “as swiftly as possible.”

A government spokesperson said: “The government intends to respond in full to Sir Brian’s recommendations for wider compensation following the publication of the inquiry’s final report.”