The legal adviser to more than 1,500 victims of the Infected Blood Scandal has hailed the inquiry’s final report as “everything we were hoping for”.

Des Collins, senior partner at Collins Solicitors, believes inquiry chairman Sir Brian Langstaff has done the whole infected blood community proud.

He called Monday a “momentous day” with the report confirming what victims have known for years: that the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history was not an accident, with authorities covering up the scandal for decades.

Lord Mayor Treloar College near Alton is at the centre of the scandal, as dozens of young boys were knowingly injected with infected blood during the 1970s and 80s.

Mr Collins said: “This report talks of wrongs committed systemically collectively and individually. 

“It names names and identifies where opportunities were missed and mistakes made. It confirms there was indeed a cover up and that documents were deliberately destroyed. 

“It is notably critical of the Government’s behaviour in the last year by insisting on waiting for the final report before working on a scheme of redress.”

He added: “Clearly we still need to delve into all the detail given as it’s a lengthy report. However, from what I have read so far, Sir Brian and his team have delivered a thorough, no holds barred, hard hitting report. 

“On behalf of my clients and all the community I would like to express sincere gratitude and thanks for his and his team’s tireless work.

“While there is still much work to be done on our clients’ behalf, for now, we simply join them in acknowledging this moment – their day of truth and their relief at recognition at last.”