Infected Blood Inquiry: Victim wants 'justice for everyone"
Infected blood victim wants 'justice for everyone'
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Bernie Allen & Faye Kidd
BBC News NI
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Nigel Hamilton is the Chair of Haemophilia Northern Ireland and has already received his compensation
The chair of Haemophilia Northern Ireland has said that he "wants justice for everyone" affected by the infected blood scandal in Northern Ireland.
Nigel Hamilton is giving evidence to the Infected Blood Inquiry amid concerns around the compensation process for victims.
Mr Hamilton contracted hepatitis C after receiving contaminated blood products during an operation in the 1970s.
His twin brother Simon, who died on Christmas Day in 2023, also contracted Hepatitis C after being given contaminated transfusions.
More than 30,000 people in the UK were infected with HIV and hepatitis C after they were given contaminated blood and blood products between the 1970s and early 1990s.
In August 2022, the government announced that 4,000 UK victims would receive interim payments of £100,000, including about 100 in Northern Ireland.
But campaigners and victims have since contacted the inquiry with concerns about the way compensation is being implemented, and how long the process is taking.
Mr Hamilton has received his compensation but wants to remain involved in the process to ensure that everyone gets justice.
'It's not over for me'
Nigel Hamilton with his late brother Simon, who were both infected after receiving contaminated blood products
Nigel Hamilton said he received contaminated blood during an operation in the Royal Victoria Hospital in Belfast in the 1970s.
"People need the justice that they are entitled to. We have faced a long time in getting justice," he said.
The "reluctance" for the process to "move forward at pace" is "frustrating", he said.
"Justice is justice. It must be delivered – and it must be delivered now."
"The longer this goes on the more pain, angst, anxiety - and financial, mental, and emotional trauma - exists."
Mr Hamilton's compensation process took about five weeks and he said it was not straightforward, so he wants to ensure it progresses for others.
"My objective for staying in this process, rather than taking my money and running, is that I want to see justice for all other victims."
"I'm now in a situation where I am through this process – but it's not over for me – I want justice for everyone," Mr Hamilton said.
'People in the dark'
Nigel Hamilton told BBC's Good Morning Ulster programme that the need to deliver compensation payments is "paramount".
"We've already lost a number of people. I've lost a twin brother, two cousins, several friends, one more recently, in the last few months and this is an injustice to them."
"It does not provide for them the opportunity to see closure and they have lost out in this process which has just simply taken far too long," he added.
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Nigel Hamilton says there is a lack of transparency about the claims process for victims
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