Blood payments 'within 90 days'

SOME victims of the infected blood scandal will receive a £210,000 interim compensation payment before the end of the summer, the Government has announced.

Cabinet Office Minister John Glen said he recognised that "time is of the essence" as he announced that many will also benefit from further interim compensation payments within 90 days.

He also confirmed that the first full compensation payments to victims of the infected blood scandal will be made before the end of the year.

Mr Glen also announced that friends and family members of those infected would also be eligible for compensation under the scheme.

Sir Robert Francis KC has been announced as interim chairman of the arm's-length Infected Blood Compensation Authority, the Government confirmed.