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Chronology of the Delay into the Infected Blood Public Inquiry

4th July 2017 Collins Solicitors makes an Application for a Group Litigation Order (GLO) in respect of the Contaminated Blood Products Litigation case in the High Court.

11th July 2017 The Prime Minister announces a Public Inquiry into the Contaminated Blood Scandal sponsored by the Department of Health (DoH). The DoH opens a consultation period until 18 August 2017.

20th July 2017 UK Parliament rises for the summer.

15th Aug 2017 Notice of the first GLO Hearing announced for 26 September 2017.

18th Aug 2017 The original consultation deadline.

6th Sept 2017 Government announces the deadline for DoH Consultation to be extended to 18th October.

26th Sept 2017 The hearing of the GLO Application before Master Fontaine. Application granted in respect of the Contaminated Blood Products Litigation case.

18th Oct 2017 DoH Inquiry consultation closes (14 weeks since the Inquiry was announced).

3rd Nov 2017 The Prime Minister announces that the ‘Infected Blood Inquiry’ will be a full statutory Public Inquiry sponsored by the Cabinet Office and that the Chair will be announced ‘soon’ and in any event before Christmas recess (17 weeks since the Public Inquiry was announced).

Dec 2017 A number of meetings held at the Cabinet Office consulting with the Contaminated Blood Campaign groups. Assurances are given that the Chair will be announced before Christmas.

21st Dec 2017 Announcement made that the Chair will be a Judge, but not which one (over 23 weeks since the Inquiry was announced).

17th Jan 2018 Freedom of Information (FOI) enquiry placed regarding “on which date the Cabinet Office first asked the Lord Chief Justice to nominate a Judge for the Inquiry into Infected blood products?” which is not responded to until 14th March 2018.

1st Feb 2018 First case Management Conference held for the GLO before Mr Justice Martin Spencer.

8th Feb 2018 Chair to the Public Inquiry announced to be Sir Brian Langstaff, but he will not take up his post until he retires on 01 May 2018 (over 30 weeks since the Inquiry was announced).

2nd Mar 2018 Inquiry launches consultation into the Terms of Reference up to 26 April.

14th Mar 2018 FOI enquiry refused. Cabinet Office claiming privilege.

26th April 2018 Consultation on the Inquiry Terms of Reference closes (42 weeks since the Public Inquiry was announced.

1st May 2018 Sir Brian Langstaff retires and is to start work full time on the Inquiry Terms of Reference.

4th June 2018 Five weeks since the Judge takes up the Chair there is no sign of the Terms of Reference or a date for the formal launch of the Inquiry.

11 July 2018 Will be one year since the Inquiry was announced.

For further information, insight or commentary, please contact:
Des Collins
Senior Partner
Collins Solicitors
T) 01923 223 324
M) 07831 522 540
dcollins@collinslaw.co.uk
Danielle Holliday
Partner
Collins Solicitors
T) 01923 223 324
M) 07540 531 753
dholliday@collinslaw.co.uk