A WIDOW and campaigner who has fought for justice over the contaminated blood scandal has welcomed a new inquiry but also called for a full police investigation.

Carol Grayson, 57, has spent more than a decade uncovering evidence related to the scandal - even submitting thousands of documents to the Government and official bodies which she says were largely ignored.

Mrs Grayson, from Jesmond in Newcastle, lost her haemophiliac husband Peter Longstaff in 2005 after he contracted HIV and hepatitis C from contaminated blood.

She wrote an MA thesis at Sunderland University on the global blood trade, which won an award, and which traced infected donors to Arkansas prisons.

Reacting to the Prime Minister's announcement of an inquiry, she said: "I'm pleased that an inquiry has been announced and I'm grateful to politicians that have stuck with us for so long.

"This cover-up has been going on for almost three decades and I've been largely ignored.

"I would like the inquiry to cover all the evidence that we've already covered, which includes complaints we've submitted to official bodies, including the General Medical Council (GMC) and the Government.

"We also need to look at why medical records were allegedly tampered with, and why we've been repeatedly ignored.

"We need to look at the behaviour of lawyers throughout all of this.

"I was able to trace my husband's treatment batch numbers back to Arkansas State Penitentiary, where prisoners were being paid to give blood samples.

"I also uncovered documents years ago showing that the Government knew about this.

"Among other evidence we have is the testing of haemophiliacs for HIV and hepatitis C without their knowledge and permission, and withholding positive test results.

"Some of them went on to infect their partners without even knowing it."

Mrs Grayson said some of the documents now being claimed as new evidence have actually been around for more than a decade.

She said her husband would have been pleased with the announcement of an inquiry but would have urged caution.

"Peter would say that he knew that I would not give up," she said.

"He would be pleased that I have stuck to my promise to fight for justice. But he'd also think I was exhausted by it and he'd be worried about me.

"He would have welcomed the inquiry - he was an optimist. He said years ago it was going to take a very long time to get there.

"But he'd also say treat the inquiry with caution. It really depends on the remit of the inquiry.

"I don't believe it will apportion blame. Alongside this inquiry, there needs to be a complete police investigation.

"I also want the inquest into my husband's death to be re-opened. It was left as an open verdict."

Mr Longstaff's brother Stephen, also a haemophiliac, died of Aids caused by infected plasma.

The Prime Minister said the treatment of thousands of haemophiliacs and other patients with blood products infected with hepatitis C and HIV was an "appalling tragedy" which should never have happened.

"Thousands of patients expected the world-class care our NHS is famous for, but they were failed," she said in a statement.

"At least 2,400 people died and thousands more were exposed to Hepatitis C and HIV, with life-changing consequences.

"The victims and their families who have suffered so much pain and hardship deserve answers as to how this could possibly have happened.

"While this Government has invested record amounts to support the victims, they have been denied those answers for too long and I want to put that right."

The announcement was welcomed by campaigners who have been pressing for years for an inquiry into the import of the clotting agent Factor VIII from the US.

Much of the plasma used to make the product came from donors like prison inmates who sold their blood which turned out to be infected.

Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham - who as shadow home secretary championed the campaign for an inquiry - said the announcement was a "major breakthrough", albeit a belated one for people who had suffered for decades.

"This day has taken far too long in coming. People have suffered enough through contaminated blood. They have been let down by all political parties and public bodies," he said.

"It is now incumbent on those organisations to work together to give the families truth, justice and accountability without any further delay or obstruction.

"It is essential that this inquiry looks at both the original negligence and the widespread cover-up that followed.

"It is also crucial that organisations representing victims are fully consulted on the form, membership and structure of the inquiry.

"Just as with Hillsborough, there must be a 'families first' approach at all times."

The announcement came just two days after six party leaders in the Commons - including Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn and the Democratic Unionists' Nigel Dodds - signed a joint letter calling for an inquiry.

Welcoming the move, Mr Corbyn said the investigation should have the potential to trigger prosecutions.

"It was obviously a serious systemic failure. I think we need the strongest possible inquiry that can if necessary lead to prosecution actions as a result, but above all get to the bottom of it," he said.

"A broad, public, inquisitive inquiry is very important."

Downing Street said they would now open discussions with those affected as to exactly what form the inquiry would take.

"Consultation will now take place with those affected to decide exactly what form the inquiry will take, such as a Hillsborough-style independent panel or a judge-led statutory inquiry," the Prime Minister's official spokesman said.