The Infected Blood Inquiry 10 June 2021 1 Thursday, 10 June 2021 1 MR HAMILTON: Yes. 2 (10.00 am) 2 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: But beyond this room there will be 3 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: Now I think you may have been saying 3 quite a lot of the people watching today. We are 4 something there, Simon. 4 expecting 200 or 300 at least from the various 5 MR HAMILTON: Good morning, Sir Brian. 5 constituent parts of the United Kingdom. 6 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: Good morning. 6 MR HAMILTON: Yes. 7 MR HAMILTON: Yes, I was just having a chat with the 7 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: So that's who you're talking to. 8 technician. 8 MR HAMILTON: Thank you. 9 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: So you're at home, are you? 9 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: Now we'll take the -- administer the 10 MR HAMILTON: I'm not, no, I'm out in our business office. 10 oath. You first, Simon. Mary will administer that in 11 The company very kindly gave me access here to our 11 a moment. Mary, please. 12 boardroom because we have a particularly good signal 12 SIMON HAMILTON, affirmed 13 and I didn't want to risk the quality of what we were 13 LYNNE KELLY, sworn 14 going to be doing by working from home, as it were, 14 WILLIAM WRIGHT, affirmed 15 because I live quite rurally and we have an 15 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: Let me just check that you have 16 agricultural connection in terms of our technology. 16 a screen in front of you. Can you see Simon in that 17 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: Understood. 17 screen? You can. Good. Then that part of it is 18 MR HAMILTON: Thank you. 18 working. Can I just mention now, for later, that you 19 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: You're joined this morning by 19 are a panel. If you are to have discussions between 20 Lynne Kelly and Bill Wright, if you'd come forward 20 yourselves, they should be in public, so the usual -- 21 please. 21 today, that is. Afterwards, you can talk as much as 22 Now you need no introduction to each other, 22 you wish in private. So during breaks if you please, 23 I think. But let me just tell you, Simon, you're 23 don't talk about the evidence that you've been giving 24 talking to what is for us a full house. I'd say for 24 and that which you might be asked to give. 25 us, in the present circumstances. 25 It's the usual rule for everyone adjusted for 1 2 1 circumstances of a panel. If you find that you don't 1 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: Thank you. 2 agree and want to say something, this is the forum to 2 MS FRASER BUTLIN: Simon, if I can start with you. You've 3 say it. We do want to understand the differences 3 been the chair of Haemophilia Northern Ireland since 4 between the different constituent parts of the 4 it was founded in December 2017. 5 United Kingdom insofar as they are important to us. 5 MR HAMILTON: Yes, that's correct. 6 Questions by MS FRASER BUTLIN 6 MS FRASER BUTLIN: There was previously a Northern Irish 7 MS FRASER BUTLIN: Simon, before I start, can I make sure 7 group of The Haemophilia Society. 8 you can see and hear me? 8 MR HAMILTON: Yes. 9 MR HAMILTON: I can, yes, thank you. 9 MS FRASER BUTLIN: Can you tell us why Haemophilia 10 MS FRASER BUTLIN: I'm not sure when I look at you whether 10 Northern Ireland was formed? 11 you feel I am looking at you or not because of the way 11 MR HAMILTON: Yes. As far as I understand there has 12 my screens are set up but please don't think I'm being 12 always been a local branch of the UK Society. Due to 13 rude if it looks like I'm looking away from you. 13 a period of inactivity and, therefore, a sense that 14 MR HAMILTON: No, no, I totally accept that, thank you. 14 there was a lack of representation, it was felt that, 15 MS FRASER BUTLIN: Before we start with the evidence, sir, 15 in light of the model, if you like, that was in 16 I do need to highlight that it's inevitable that some 16 Scotland and Wales, that it was perhaps time that 17 criticisms are likely to be made by these witnesses of 17 a local charity in its own standing would be formed, 18 various individuals and organisations. As we said 18 replicating what was being carried out elsewhere. And 19 yesterday, through no fault of their own, several of 19 the desire to better advocate for people in Northern 20 those people may not have had the opportunity to 20 Ireland who were suffering from blood issues, we felt 21 respond to those criticisms, as yet. But as and when 21 that it would be useful to form a society because 22 responses are received, they will be published on the 22 there had been a period of inactivity, fundamentally, 23 website. In some circumstances we do have a response, 23 and, as a consequence of that, we felt that 24 and I'll note those as we go, but no inferences should 24 representation could best be served by a local group, 25 be drawn from a lack of response. 25 a local group setting itself up as a recognised 3 4 (1) Pages 1 - 4 The Infected Blood Inquiry 10 June 2021 1 charity, a Northern Ireland Haemophilia Society. 1 However, because of the timing, we also felt 2 MS FRASER BUTLIN: Can you tell us what the aims and 2 that it was important to represent issues relating to 3 objectives of Haemophilia Northern Ireland are? 3 the public Inquiry and the infected blood scandal, and 4 MR HAMILTON: Yes, fundamentally we see ourselves as 4 because some of us were obviously in the category of 5 advocates and supporters of all haemophiliacs, 5 being recipient -- scheme recipients, we were already 6 bleeding sufferers, von Willebrand's sufferers, 6 recognised sufferers from the infected blood and 7 et cetera. We set ourselves up regardless of the 7 therefore we formed part of that victim group. And 8 issues relating to the public Inquiry. That wasn't 8 under those circumstances it made total sense that we 9 a driver for us setting ourselves up. Fundamentally 9 would provide a voice for people in Northern Ireland 10 we set ourselves up in order to provide support and 10 who wanted us to -- who wanted to channel their views 11 a talking shop somewhere, where counselling guidance, 11 through us. And as a consequence, then, another 12 as it were, signposting could be provided and the 12 stream of what we try -- have tried to do was to 13 normal charitable activities to support different 13 provide representation and to be an active voice, 14 groups relating to the bleeding disorders. So young 14 advocating for the needs of people who fall under the 15 parents, families, children, young adults, older men, 15 infected blood scandal. 16 von Willebrand's sufferers and -- issues relating to 16 MS FRASER BUTLIN: You gave evidence when we were in -- 17 women's bleeding disorders and, in general, to be 17 when the Inquiry was in Belfast, so your personal 18 a voice in Northern Ireland, because we observed in 18 story has been provided to the Inquiry. 19 other regions that there was an effective voice when 19 MR HAMILTON: Yes. 20 individuals took up, if you like, an indigenous 20 MS FRASER BUTLIN: But it's right, isn't it, that you were 21 charitable role, and ran with those objectives. 21 involved in campaigning around some of the issues on 22 And those were fundamentally our objectives: to 22 financial recompense prior to the formation of 23 provide support and advocacy for families and 23 Haemophilia Northern Ireland? 24 sufferers, the infected and affected, the affected 24 MR HAMILTON: Yes, my involvement in -- 25 with this -- with the blood disorder. 25 MS FRASER BUTLIN: We'll come to the detail of that in 5 6 1 a moment but just to confirm that you were certainly 1 MS FRASER BUTLIN: I believe so. I don't believe she's 2 involved prior to the formation? 2 anonymised. 3 MR HAMILTON: Certainly, I was. Yes, that's correct. 3 MR WRIGHT: Susan, who brought a great deal of expertise 4 MS FRASER BUTLIN: Bill, you've been an active campaigner 4 and energy to Scotland -- [Redacted] 5 in Scotland over a number of years. I know you're not 5 MS FRASER BUTLIN: Could we pause the transmission? 6 a fan of the word "campaigner", but if we can use that 6 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: Yes, you might have mentioned this, 7 term in terms of -- you've had an active involvement 7 actually. 8 in a lot of the issues in Scotland, starting off in 8 MS FRASER BUTLIN: Can I take a moment? 9 about 1997, 1998? 9 SIR BRIAN LANGSTAFF: I think leave those details, leave 10 MR WRIGHT: Yes. 10 those personal details out. Can we just redact that 11 MS FRASER BUTLIN: And that was as a member of the 11 for a moment, sorry.