04 March 2023 , 18:51
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Ministers are refusing to allow victims of the infected blood scandal to bring their lawyers to a summit to discuss compensation.
Jason Evans, of the Factor 8 campaign group, said victims had been invited to a meeting with Paymaster General Jeremy Quin on Tuesday - and lawyers had been due to attend.
But just days ahead of the meeting, “without any explanation”, an email arrived warning the group it wouldn’t be “appropriate” to bring legal representatives.
The Cabinet Office has confirmed lawyers won’t be allowed to attend the meeting, insisting it was “private” and “similar meetings” had been held without lawyers present.
"It feels outrageous," said Mr Evans.
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The meeting set for this week is with Paymaster General Jeremy Quin - but it wouldn't be "appropriate" for lawyers to attend (Getty Images)"It feels to me like they are trying to take advantage of vulnerable people, sick and dying people by separating them from their lawyers in this way.
"We're not asking for funding, just for our lawyers to be allowed in the room when we discuss compensation with a government minister, it seems crazy."
Thousands of NHS patients were infected with HIV or hepatitis C by contaminated blood products imported from the US in the 1970s and 1980s.
At least 2,400 people died in the worst treatment disaster in the history of the health service.
The 4,000 surviving victims began to receive interim payments of £100,000 in October.
And while the Government has accepted there is a “moral case” for affected people to be paid full compensation, Mr Quin told MPs in December he could not commit to a timetable.