Inquiry expected to call for prosecutions over infected blood scandal

A long-awaited final report from the public inquiry into the infected blood scandal is expected to call for those responsible to face prosecution, the Guardian has learned.

- Peter Walker, Rachel Hall, Matthew Weaver

The official inquiry, set up under Theresa May in 2017, will present its findings today, representing a huge moment for victims and bereaved relatives over what has been described as the biggest treatment disaster in the history of the NHS.

The inquiry, chaired by the former judge Sir Brian Langstaff, has no scope to determine civil or criminal liability. However, it is believed its report will recommend prosecutions, potentially including current or former NHS figures.

About 3,000 people are believed to have died after more than 30,000 patients were infected with hepatitis Cand HIV from the 1970s to the early 90s, as a result of contaminated products made from blood that had been donated in the US.

In the wake of the report the Treasury will announce a compensation package that is understood to total about £10bn. The money to pay for it will come from borrowing.

Government officials say they expect any formal response today to be limited, as the publication of the report will represent what one source called "a day for the victims and families". After the report is examined the next steps will be set out in the following days.

The compensation process will be led by Jeremy Hunt, the chancellor, who told the Sunday Times it was "worst scandal" of his lifetime and victims and their families were right to feel angry with a generation of politicians, including him, for not acting to address it.