Hampshire’s Police & Crime Commissioner supports calls to prosecute the perpetrators and institutions involved in the cover-up of the Infected Blood Scandal.

Donna Jones has expressed support for the victims of the “worst treatment disaster in the history of the NHS” and feels that prosecutions “are the next step”.

Lord Mayor Treloar College is at the centre of the scandal, as dozens of young boys were knowingly injected with infected blood during the 1970s and 80s. The damning report released on Monday found that clinicians proceeded with higher-risk treatments despite knowing the dangers, and that “unparalleled” research was carried out at Treloar’s from 1977.

Mrs Jones said: “The victims of the contaminated blood scandal have endured unimaginable suffering and loss.

“Whilst I welcome the government’s compensation scheme, no amount of money will repair the lives of those affected by this catastrophic failure.

“I fully support the consideration of prosecutions against those who played a part in the cover up and the unethical and barbaric medical treatment of patients which ultimately led to thousands of people being infected with life changing diseases.”

She added: “There is a clear role here for the General Medical Council to explore and identify those who committed malpractice and medical negligence.

“Organisations and individuals who contributed to this scandal need to be identified, and where evidence is sufficient - prosecuted.”

"We owe it to the victims and their families that those who have acted unlawfully are held to account. This is a crucial step in delivering the justice that has been long overdue."