A man whose dad was infected with HIV while being treated for haemophilia has said ‘no amount’ of compensation would make for the loss of his father.

The Government has now confirmed that people affected, as well as infected, will be offered a financial pay-out after offering an unreserved apology for the contaminated blood scandal.

More than 30,000 people were infected with deadly viruses between the 1970s and early 1990s as they received blood transfusions or blood products while receiving NHS care.

The 2,527-page report from the Infected Blood Inquiry, published on Monday, found the scandal “could largely have been avoided” and there was a “pervasive” cover-up to hide the truth.

Some 3,000 people have since died, including John Farry, a factory worker from Ferryhill, who passed away in 1985.

The Northern Echo: John Farry John Farry (Image: Contributor)

His son Dave said: “The compensation is neither here nor there. Some people like my mam will never see it.

“You cannot ever replace what has been taken away from you. It is impossible.

“The money will come in handy and be nice and will be a comfort financially, but I am 62 years old this year.”

Dave, who lives in Ferryhill, and is a father-of-two, is calling for a criminal inquiry and would like to see people prosecute for their part in the scandal.

He said compensation can never make up for the devastating impact it has had of the lives of people across the country.

The Northern Echo: Dave Farry Dave Farry (Image: Sarah Caldecott)

He said: “Realistically I have not got another 40 years in front of me.

“I am looking towards the end of my life, finishing work and getting to retirement and hopefully having a few years to spend with grandchildren, if they come.

“My daughter would have loved to have met their grandfather unfortunately she did not get the chance.”

On Tuesday the Government said some victims of the infected blood scandal will receive a £210,000 interim compensation payment before the end of the summer.

Cabinet Office Minister John Glen said he recognised that “time is of the essence” as he announced that many will also benefit from further interim compensation payments within 90 days.

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And he confirmed that the first full compensation payments to victims of the infected blood scandal will be made before the end of the year.

Mr Glen also announced that friends and family members of those infected would also be eligible for compensation under the scheme.

And Sir Robert Francis KC has been announced as the interim chairman of the arm’s-length Infected Blood Compensation Authority.

Mr Glen reiterated the Prime Minister’s apology to victims of the infected blood scandal, telling the Commons: “Yesterday the Prime Minister spoke about the anguish that the infected blood scandal brought to those impacted by it.

“I want to reiterate his words and apologise again today, I am sorry.”

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Flanked in the House by Chancellor Jeremy Hunt and Deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, Mr Glen did not confirm the cost of the compensation package for those infected and affected by the tragedy, though it is reported to be upwards of £10 billion.

He told MPs: “Those who have been infected or affected as a result of this scandal will receive compensation.

“To be crystal clear, if you have been directly or indirectly infected by NHS blood, blood products or tissue contaminated with HIV or hepatitis C, or have developed a chronic infection from blood contaminated with hepatitis B, you will be eligible to claim compensation under the scheme.

“And where an infected person has died, but would have been eligible under these criteria, compensation will be paid to their estate.

“And this will include where a person was infected with hepatitis B and died during the acute period of infection.”

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He added: “When a person with an eligible infection has been accepted onto the scheme, their affected loved ones will be able to apply for compensation in their own right.

“That means partners, parents, siblings, children, friends and family who have acted as carers of those who are infected are all eligible to claim.”

Mr Glen added: “Our expectation is that final payments will start before the end of the year.”