Blood scandal torment

ALEX Smith who was infected with Hepatitis C and now faces cuts to his compensation, pictured with Jim McMahon

THE contaminated blood scandal will "haunt" the Government, MP Jim McMahon said in Parliament this week.

MPs debated the issue in the Commons, where Leigh MP Andy Burnham, in his last appearance in the chamber, put forward the adjournment debate calling for a Hillsborough-style inquiry.

Mr Burnham was supported by Oldham West and Royton MP Jim McMahon ­- he mentioned Chadderton resident Alex Smith, who is unable to work and constantly feeling flu-like symptoms because NHS blood infected him with Hepatitis C.

The Chronicle reported in April 2016 how Mr Smith receives £2,000 a year from the Skipton Fund, which supports people infected by NHS blood before September 1991.

However, a Government consultation launched in January set out plans to cut these payments. Changes would see Mr Smith's money cut as well as the loss of a £500 winter fuel allowance, support for prescriptions, mobility grants and access to free debt and financial advice.

Mr Smith's wife Brenda, who died in 2008 after suffering cancer, also had the infection and was never told.

Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, said: "I feel compelled to speak out on this issue, not just because it directly affects one of my constituents - Alex Smith - but because it haunts me when I constantly see the Government refusing to do the right thing."

Mr Smith, who watched the debate, added: "I am worried that the Government don't seem to understand or care how important this issue is.

"The effect of the virus means that I no longer have a life - I can't even carry out daily activities.

"I get about five hours of broken sleep a night because of the pain in my body. My grandchildren are my life now.

"The authorities are very, very slowly looking into the issue."