A CHARITY has welcomed a public inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal which has left 2,400 people dead.

The British Liver Trust, which is based in Bournemouth, said Theresa May’s announcement of a probe into ‘the appalling injustice’ which took place in the 1970s and 1980s was ‘good news’ adding ‘thousands of people deserve to know the truth.'

Thousands of NHS patients were given blood products from abroad that were infected with hepatitis C and HIV.

Details of the UK-wide investigation have yet to be finalised and consultations will take place with those people affected as to how best to proceed.

It could be a public Hillsborough-style inquiry or a judge-led statutory inquiry, the prime minister confirmed.

Her spokesman said the decision to hold an investigation was prompted by new evidence. It is not clear what that evidence is.

A recent parliamentary report found around 7,500 patients were infected by imported blood products. Many were patients with an inherited bleeding disorder called haemophilia.

They needed regular treatment with a clotting agent Factor VIII, which is made from donated blood.

The UK imported supplies and some turned out to be infected. Much of the plasma used to make Factor VIII came from donors like prison inmates in the US, who sold their blood.

Vanessa Hebditch, director of policy at the British Liver Trust said: “The British Liver Trust has been calling for an inquiry into the historic use of contaminated blood and we welcome the Prime Minister’s announcement today. Thousands of people were infected with Hepatitis C, and Hepatitis B following blood transfusions in the 1970s and they deserve to know the truth about what happened. We also need to ensure that similar mistakes never happen again.

"We believe that most people infected by contaminated blood have now been diagnosed but if anyone is concerned, they should see their doctor.

"Although some of those infected with Hepatitis C and HIV by contaminated blood have been able to apply for compensation, those with Hepatitis B have not been eligible and this inequity should be urgently addressed.”