Blood contamination scandal: ‘Day of shame for Britain’ – Paper Talk
Tuesday’s front pages mostly cover the findings from the inquiry into the contaminated blood scandal – the biggest treatment disaster in NHS history. The inquiry, chaired by Sir Brian Langstaff, is the largest public inquiry ever carried out in the UK. More than 30,000 people were infected with HIV and hepatitis C from 1970 to 1991 by contaminated blood products and transfusions. Yesterday, in the Commons, the prime minister – and leaders of the opposition – apologised. The PM promised comprehensive compensation for the victims of the blood scandal.
Elsewhere, the ICC’s decision to issue arrest warrants for Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu also features on many of the front pages. Israel and the US have widely rejected the move. The ICC has suggested war crimes and crimes against humanity – including using starvation of civilians as a method of warfare.
The ICC has also issued arrest warrants for Hamas leaders in relation to the October 7 attacks.
The back pages continue coverage of Manchester City’s Premier League win, the announcement of the new Liverpool manager – and several papers look ahead at who Gareth Southgate might name in his Europ 2024 squad.
‘Contaminated blood scandal’
The Daily Mirror demands the “guilty face justice” and features pictures of some of the victims. The paper’s editorial urges Sunak and Starmer to jointly vow to throw the full force of the state behind prosecuting those who, it says, “ruined lives, condemned people to early graves, inflicted misery on families and tried to cover up their tracks”.
The Sun agrees saying the guilty must be punished for “their lethal negligence and callous deceit”.
The Independent dedicates its entire front splash to the story, saying: “Betrayal, lies and a chilling cover-up.”
The Metro describes it as “forty years of bloody cover-up” and notes that it could have been avoided and was covered up for decades.
The Daily Mail expresses concerns that no one may face criminal justice over the scandal, criticising the NHS as a “secretive opaque organisation” that silences whistleblowers instead of addressing their concerns.
The Times highlights former Labour health secretary Andy Burnham’s call for corporate manslaughter charges against Whitehall departments. The Crown Prosecution Service indicates it would need a police recommendation before taking action.
The Daily Telegraph argues that the government is slow to address wrongs, citing the Post Office and infected blood scandals. It stresses the need for a faster mechanism to tackle institutional failures.
The Daily Express calls for civil servants to take an oath to act in the nation’s best interests, underscoring their responsibility to the public.
‘ICC arrest warrant for Netanyahu’
The Financial Times notes that the ICC’s request for arrest warrants for Israeli and Hamas leaders may impact European arms sales to Israel if pre-trial judges approve the warrants.
The Mirror’s editorial reflects on the widespread view that both Israeli and Hamas leaders have committed war crimes, condemning the violence from both sides and advocating for their trial.
The Telegraph criticises the ICC’s arrest warrant requests, arguing they create a false moral equivalence between Israel and Hamas. It praises Israeli soldiers’ efforts to minimise non-combatant casualties.